Owen and Walcott limber up for England

Michael Owen will lead England's attack in probably their most eagerly-awaited 'B' international when they face Belarus today.

Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will be testing both fitness and tactics in Reading, west of London, less than three weeks before what has been billed as England's best chance to win the World Cup since their 1966 triumph.

His main priority is to give Owen match practice, given that the Newcastle United striker has played only once since breaking a bone in his foot on December 31.

Owen should also play in two 'A' friendlies at Old Trafford on May 30 against Hungary and on June 3 against Jamaica as he builds up his sharpness for the finals.

Today will also give Eriksson a chance to pair him with the towering Peter Crouch, his striker partner in the absence of injured Wayne Rooney.

For the time being, the more Owen and Crouch play together, the better.

Their 'little and large' partnership has already shown some promise, helping Owen to score against Colombia in the US last May and in a friendly with Argentina last November.

More tantalising will be a first glimpse of Theo Walcott, whose call-up to the World Cup squad was a huge surprise to everyone - including the 17-year-old Arsenal forward.

Walcott has yet to play for the Champions League finalists since being signed in January but Eriksson has indicated he will use him in the second half, probably instead of Crouch.

The biggest changes are due in midfield, where three of the four players will come from Tottenham Hotspur - right winger Aaron Lennon, holding midfielder Michael Carrick and Jermaine Jenas.

Lennon and Middlesbrough left winger Stewart Downing are sure to start. Bayern Munich's Owen Hargreaves is an option in the middle, though he may well fill in at right back.