Owen omitted, Cole out for England qualifiers

Michael Owen was overlooked again last night when England coach Fabio Capello named his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Belarus.

The 28-year-old Newcastle United striker has scored 40 goals in 89 appearances for England but has still not convinced Capello about his fitness this season despite playing in his club's last six games. His last cap came against France in March.

Portsmouth forward Peter Crouch and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips return to the squad for the Group Six fixtures after good form for their clubs.

Crouch is one of four strikers in the squad, the others being Portsmouth team-mate Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey.

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole is ruled out with a foot injury after scoring for his club yesterday while Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson is also missing because of a calf strain.

England, who top the group after away wins against Andorra and Croatia, face Kazakhstan at Wembley on Saturday before facing Belarus in Minsk the following Wednesday.

Squad

Keepers: James (Portsmouth), Green (West Ham), Carson (West).

Defenders: Bridge (Chelsea), Brown (Manchester United), A. Cole (Chelsea), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Johnson (Portsmouth), Terry (Chelsea), Lescott (Everton), Upson (West Ham).

Midfielders: Barry (Aston Villa), Gerrard (Liverpool), Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Lampard (Chelsea), Downing (Middlesbrough), Beckham (LA Galaxy).

Forwards: Rooney (Manchester United), Defoe (Portsmouth), Walcott (Arsenal), Heskey (Wigan Athletic), Crouch (Portsmouth).