Manchester United striker Michael Owen will not play again this season after pulling his hamstring in the 2-1 Carling Cup win over Aston Villa.

The 30-year-old, who scored United’s equaliser at Wembley, pulled up while chasing a pass in the first half.

The injury all but ends Owen’s hopes of playing for England at the World Cup.

“It is more serious than we thought. I think the heavy pitch at Wembley played some part, but it’s also bad luck,” said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Owen, who will have one year remaining on his two-year contract at Old Trafford at the end of this season, was initially expected to be out for only a few weeks, but will now undergo surgery on Monday.

He said: “I have loved every minute of my first campaign with Manchester United and have already enjoyed some memorable moments.

“I am determined to come back at the start of next season in peak condition.”

Owen, who has scored 40 goals in 89 games for England, admitted in February that he was not expecting to be included in coach Fabio Capello’s 23-man World Cup squad for South Africa.

He last played for the national side in March 2008 in a 1-0 friendly defeat by France, but has not featured in a squad since.

“It’s been a long time since I was in the England squad. You never give up but it’s probably a long shot in racing terms,” Owen told BBC Sport last month.

And that call seems even less likely now, considering Capello said he would only recall Owen if he was playing regularly for United.

Owen, who has struggled with groin, ankle, thigh, hernia, metatarsal and knee ligament injuries in the past, had not missed a training session this season following his surprise move to Old Trafford on a reported pay-as-you-play deal in the summer.

But the 2001 European footballer of the year found starting chances limited, with 20 of his 31 appearances this season coming as substitute.

However, he has scored nine goals in all competitions, including a hat-trick in the Champions League win against Wolfsburg and an injury-time winner in September’s Manchester derby before Sunday’s equaliser in the Carling Cup final.

Argentina’s larger-than-life coach Diego Maradona thinks that his players can win the 2010 World Cup if they show the form that saw them beat fellow favourites Germany 1-0 on Wednesday.

“I am very happy because my players were so committed. They fulfilled my expectations. After 24 years Argentina needs the title, and playing at this standard we can do it,” Maradona said. “It was a tough game, but we showed that we are a great team, one of the best in the world,” he added. “God willing, we are going to give our people a good World Cup.”

Ninety-nine days before South Africa 2010, the clash found “El Diez” under pressure after the 1978 and 1986 winners – the latter victory over the then West Germany virtually singlehandedly delivered by Maradona – came within a whisker of not qualifying and for his use of over 100 different players.

“After 24 years Argentina needs the title, and playing at this standard we can do it.”

- Argentina coach Diego Maradona

But his side outshone Germany on Wednesday, leaving the home side, which in contrast to Argentina had looked solid in qualification, looking like the one needing to go back to the drawing board. “Mistakes get punished at this level,” said Germany trainer Joachim Low, assistant coach when Germany beat Argentina in a penalty shootout in the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals.

“Argentina really was a very, very strong team with lots of strong individual players. We didn’t manage to build up pressure today, to make use of chances.”

After a slow start as the teams sized each other up, it was Argentina who looked the more dangerous of the two sides, led from the front by Barcelona star Lionel Messi, FIFA’s World Player of Year. In the 38th minute, Angel di Maria dribbled his way past a sea of German defenders to fire off a shot.

Germany ‘keeper Rene Adler, fresh from being named Germany’s first-choice goalie for the World Cup this week, pulled off a spectacular save, deflecting the ball onto the woodwork. But then just before the break, disaster struck for the Germans with a slip-up from Adler, who plays for high-flying Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen, that suddenly made his selection look not quite so shrewd.

Adler sprinted out of his goal to intercept the ball from a fast-approaching Gonzalo Higuain, but the Real Madrid star won the challenge, rounded the ‘keeper and tapped into the open goal. The Germans looked in better nick in the second half, winning more possession and creating more pressure in the opponents’ half, but it was to no avail as the visitors held firm.

Germany’s best chances came though Cacau, who has been on sparkling form in the Bundesliga, with shots in the 77th and 83rd minutes, the second a half-volley which whistled over the crossbar. “Our mistake was not to take more risks up front,” said Germany captain Michael Ballack, sporting a black eye from Chelsea’s recent UEFA Champions League defeat to Inter Milan.

Argentina is drawn against Nigeria, Korea Republic and Greece in the World Cup. Germany will face Ghana, Serbia and Australia.

Peter Crouch hopes he has given coach Fabio Capello food for thought after stepping up his claims for a 2010 World Cup South Africa starting spot with two goals to help defeat Egypt 3-1 at Wembley.

The Tottenham striker took his goal tally for his country to 20 in 37 games after replacing club-mate Jermaine Defoe at half-time when England trailed to Mohamed Zidan’s opener. And Crouch is hopeful that will help him secure a spot on the plane to South Africa.

“You can only try to do your best and I did. Its up to the manager. All you’ve got to do when given your chance is try and take it and I’ve given the manager something to think about tonight.”

- England striker Peter Crouch

“Anyone who plays for England is going to feel under pressure, certainly in a World Cup year,” he said. “You can only try to do your best and I did. Its up to the manager. All you’ve got to do when given your chance is try and take it and I’ve given the manager something to think about tonight.”

Much of the talk before the match was about deposed captain John Terry and he was greeted with a considerable proportion of boos from the 75,000-plus crowd when his name was announced prior to kick-off and also when he had his first touch of the ball inside the first 30 seconds.

Steven Gerrard praised the way the Chelsea defender dealt with matters. “I thought he was superb, thought he handled everything really well,” he said. “He showed he’s a fantastic player and a great leader.”

Egypt went in at the break ahead before Crouch’s brace. Shaun Wright-Phillips also hit the target as England recovered from a poor first-half performance to run out comfortable winners.

Spirit prevails
Gerrard put their recovery down to team spirit. “You’ve got to give credit to them, they played very well in the first half. We never converted chances we had. So I think we were unfortunate to come in 1-0 down. But we showed good character and togetherness to get back in it and go on to win it. We were a bit individual in the first half. But we pressed lot more in the second.”

Asked if he was angry at half-time, manager Fabio Capello said: “No, in the first half we had a lot of chances but didn’t score. I changed some players but I was also happy with the first half. I said to the players to press more to win the ball back quickly and in the second half we did that.”

As for Crouch, Capello said: “He’s one of the players, one of the forwards. I’m happy. I have to choose from a lot of players, it’s good. Crouch is a big option for me because sometimes you can play long ball. Today we didn’t, and he played very well with one touch, two touches. In the second half he made the difference.”

The new official World Cup Anthem 2010 with the words if you want to sing along.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque believes that his side and England are among the favorites to win this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

With less than four months to the kick-off of the 2010 World Cup, FIFA has been alerted to a growing number of e-mails and scams fraudulently claiming to be associated or linked with the World Cup in South Africa and/or FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa.

These scams generally inform recipients that they have been selected as lottery prize winners and have won substantial sums of money, or invite recipients to submit a tender. Recipients are then persuaded to:

• Submit personal information or to part with money as an up front payment, or
• Forward money to enable them to enter the tender process.

FIFA strongly advises the public to treat any correspondence concerning lottery draws, tenders or competitions with suspicion and extreme caution and urges people not to provide any personal or financial details if requested to do so.

So watch your emails and make sure that you are betting with a legitimate bookmaker. Take advantage and get your free bets.

Wayne Bridge has made himself unavailable for selection for the England national team, claiming his presence was potentially divisive to the squad. The Manchester City defender released a short statement this morning, which effectively leaves Fabio Capello without both his first-choice left-backs for Wednesday’s friendly with Egypt.

The move comes after details about a relationship between Bridge’s former girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel and Chelsea defender John Terry came to light. Terry was ultimately stripped of the England captaincy by Capello, who earlier this week spoke of his optimism that Bridge would continue to play for his country. However, after a lot of soul searching, the 29-year-old feels it is an impossible situation for him to contemplate.

“It has always been an honour to play for England,” said Bridge. “However, after careful thought, I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive.”

It was the delicate balancing act Capello knew he was carrying out when he retained Terry in his squad whilst removing the coveted armband. The Italian hoped Bridge would remain involved and was scheduled to see both men in action at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, when Chelsea entertain Manchester City.

Roberto Mancini spoke about the certainty of Bridge’s return to the England fold but there was always a feeling the full-back held a different opinion. Speculation that he would not even shake Terry’s hand prior to this weekend’s game hardly gave credence to the belief any clear differences could be patched up.

“Sadly, for the sake of the team and what would be inevitable distractions, I have decided not to put myself forward for selection,” said Bridge. “I have thought long and hard about my position in the England football team in the light of the reporting and events over the last few weeks and have today informed the management of this decision. I wish the team all the best in South Africa.”

Capello must now find himself alternatives at left-back given Ashley Cole is presently ruled out for three months with a broken ankle. Attention will immediately fall on Everton’s Leighton Baines, who has yet to win a senior cap but has been in outstanding form for his club and Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock.

World Cup Record: Semi-final 1950

Manager: Vicente Del Bosque
Key Player: Fernando Torres
Qualified: 1st Uefa Group 5
Odds: 4/1

As far as World Cup appearances go Spain has so often flattered to deceive but now the perennial under-achievers have an opportunity to put the record straight in South Africa. Since winning the European Championship in 2008 they have continued their fluid one-touch brand of football and qualified from a group including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey and Belgium by winning every game. Their host of star players includes Fernando Torres, David Villa and Iker Casillas and they have only lost once under current manager, Vicente Del Bosque. If they continue to play as they have over the last two years Spain may finally fulfil their potential at a World Cup.

Fernando Torres

Age: 25
Position: Centre Forward
Club: Liverpool (England – Premier League)
Caps: 71 (23 goals)
Top Goal Scorer Odds: 12/1

Fernando Torres scored the winning goal in Spain’s European 2008 final against Germany and clinched their first major trophy since 1964. Since joining Liverpool he has netted 48 goals in 67 Premier league games. He is a prolific goal scorer who is skilful and can hold up the ball and always makes it difficult for opposition defenders. Born in Madrid in 1984, Torres joined his first team Parque 84 at the age of 5 years old. He went on to represent Spain at all youth levels and came through the youth ranks at Atletico Madrid (214 apps, 82 goals) before moving to Anfield in 2007. Spain has many star names Villa, Xabi, Alonso to name a few but in Torres they have a natural born goalscorer.