Ahead of next summer's World Cup in South Africa, England Coach, Fabio Capello has some huge decisions to make. He already faces the daunting task of cutting down a squad which would normally contain 26 players, to just a squad of 23 for the finals.
The Italian has already used 31 different players throughout the qualification stages for the World Cup, one of which is not Michael Owen.
There has been much made in recent weeks on the Michael Owen debate, whether he should be taken to the World Cup or not, but neither the player nor the manager seem too daunted by the speculation.
Owen himself has admitted his desire to again represent his country, but for the moment is happy to concentrate on his club form in order to gain recognition from Capello.
The former European player of the year shocked his former club Liverpool, and their once adoring supporters, by signing for arch rivals Manchester United on a free transfer in the summer, bringing to an end an unhappy spell up North at Newcastle United.
Despite the fact that he may be playing second fiddle to both Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov at Man United, Owen must be grateful for the lifeline offered to him, and try to make the most of any opportunity that comes his way. (For instance the Manchester derby)
Whether Owen remains first choice or not for club or country, he is impossible to overlook, if just for his reputation and past career alone. At Liverpool, Owen established himself as one of the finest strikers in Europe, earning himself a move to the Bernebeau in 2004.
With a strike rate of almost a goal every 2 games, Owen boasts a goal return that almost any striker would be proud of, and although injuries may have restricted him being able to reciprocate his once glittering form at Anfield, the fact is, Michael Owen still remains a proven goalscorer.
As it stands, England look to have particular strength upfront, with Rooney, Heskey and Defoe, all looking certain to board the plane to South Africa, with the likes of Peter Crouch, Carlton Cole, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Darren Bent and Theo Walcott all gunning for places, and maybe ahead of Owen in the pecking order.
However, what many of these strikers do not have, besides Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch, is an impressive goalscoring record at international level, one thing about Michael Owen which can not be debated, with 40 goals in 89 appearances for his country.
Capello obviously prefers the option of Rooney and Heskey up top for England which throughout qualification has proved successful for England, with Rooney being the main source of goals, while Heskey takes the role of "the battering ram."
Sceptics will doubt that Owen still has the credentials to perform at this level and he has suffered too many injuries, and is not as clinical as he once was. Although to an extent this may be true (or the opinions of many bitter Liverpool fans), you could argue that his finishing is still up there amongst the best in the country, and he has the ability to make and take chances that other England players may not able to.
Whichever way you look at things, England will be looking to progress as far as possible in next year's competition and although based on qualification Owen may not have earned his place in the squad, it would make very good sense to include him.
Time will tell whether Owen earns his place in the squad next summer, but if he can remain injury free and score the 15-20 goals this season which Sir Alex Ferguson has banked on, (he doesn't often get it wrong) then it would make a very nice selection headache for Fabio Capello.
Even if his only impact in the games would be to come off the bench, by then he should have built up a rapport with Wayne Rooney, and surely you would bank on him to score ahead of Heskey...
Wouldn't you?
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