He has been playing well in a side bereft of confidence and on a downward spiral - but it hasn’t been enough to impress England coach Fabio Capello.

Michael Owen was handed a one-way ticket to international obscurity last night as Fabio Capello left the Newcastle hitman out of his England squad.

Owen's omission by Capello last month saw the Italian cite his lack of match fitness. But his absence from the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers with Kazakhstan and Belarus leaves no doubt that the striker's international goal record cuts no ice with the England coach.

While Capello showed there can be a way back into his favour by recalling Shaun Wright-Phillips and Peter Crouch, Owen's England career appear to be over. (The Mirror)

It seems amazing that no place in a 23 man squad can be found to accommodate someone of Owen’s ability. His record shows he has always come back from his injuries with goals. Yes he is too injury prone for someone in the top 4 but for one off games like internationals, his experience and undoubted ability would improve most squads in the world.

Has Capello blundered by leaving Michael Owen out again? Can Owen force his way back in to the squad?