Owen left out in the cold by Capello amid fitness doubt

There were recalls for Peter Crouch, Shaun Wright-Phillips and, surprisingly, Scott Carson in Fabio Capello's England squad, which was named last night, but still no place for Michael Owen.

The 23-man squad was selected to face Kazakhstan and Belarus in the forthcoming Group Six World Cup qualifiers and, after sending his assistant, and England's general manager, Franco Baldini to watch Owen play for Newcastle United away to Everton yesterday, Capello deemed that the 28-year-old striker was still not fit enough to be chosen even though he, again, lasted the 90 minutes.

Owen, who missed out on the previous two World Cup qualifiers, may still have a future with England but it appears to be one that, at best, he can hope to achieve as an impact substitute as the team quickly evolves without him. Tellingly, Owen has played the full game in each of Newcastle's last six matches, scoring three goals but this has still not impressed Capello.

The Italian will deny that he is deliberately snubbing Owen but it is clear that he is far from convinced by the striker's qualities – his mobility and team play have been questioned – especially as they have built the line-up around the power of Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey and the pace and emerging promise of Theo Walcott.

Unfortunately missing from the squad is Joe Cole, who suffered a foot injury in Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Aston Villa yesterday, during which he had to be substituted. The Chelsea manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, claimed that Cole would be fit to play for his country, but it appears that the injury is more serious than first thought.

There is also concern over the back injuries suffered by both John Terry and Ashley Cole although the two defenders are still included by Capello.

Also missing is Jonathan Woodgate, whose fitness problems continue to plague him and who has lost out once again because of his fragility, the goalkeeper Paul Robinson and midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who are both injured, while Steven Gerrard returns to the squad, having been absent for the last two matches.

Capello has predictably dropped David Bentley, so out of sorts since his move to Tottenham Hotspur and also failing to capitalise on his first appearance under the new manager at home to Switzerland last February.

As expected, David Beckham is retained despite his travails at LA Galaxy and Jimmy Bullard is left out. The Fulham midfielder's chances of being included in future squads, given he is 29, are slim.

Bentley's absence allowed a rejuvenated Wright-Phillips a way back into the squad and the Manchester City winger has convinced Capello of his worth ahead of other candidates such as the Aston Villa pair of Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor. At least the latter has the comfort of being in the England Under-21 squad.

From the goalkeepers, Robert Green may count himself fortunate to be retained following his unconvincing display for West Ham against Bolton Wanderers yesterday while Carson is a surprise, given Capello's apparent preference for Wigan Athletic's Chris Kirkland.

Stewart Downing and Jermaine Jenas may count themselves lucky to retain their places, due to their poor form, with the Middlesbrough winger probably winning a reprieve because he offers left-footed balance and pace.

Crouch's inclusion, as one of four strikers along with Rooney, Heskey and his club team-mate Jermain Defoe, is a testament to the impressive form the Portsmouth player has hit, including a spectacular goal yesterday against Stoke City.

England, who head their qualification group following victories away to Andorra and Croatia, are at home this Saturday and then travel to Minsk to face Belarus next Wednesday. Six more points and their route to South Africa in 2010 is almost plotted.

England squad

*Goalkeepers: James (Portsmouth), Green (West Ham), Carson (West Bromwich)

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

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

*Forwards: Rooney (Man United), Defoe (Portsmouth), Walcott (Arsenal), Heskey (Wigan), Crouch (Portsmouth)

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