Owen holds no grudges
Manchester United forward Michael Owen had said that he hopes to be called up for the national team by Fabio Capello, and that he is proud of what he has achieved to date.
Owen, 30, began to feature regularly for the English team after scoring a fantastic solo goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.
Between then and 2007, the striker made 89 appearances for the national team and became England's fifth highest scorer to date with 40 goals.
Hopes to play for Capello
Capello, England boss since 2008, has yet to call the striker up. But despite his exclusion, Owen remains proud of his history with the national team.
"I've got 89 caps so far. I played for England for many years, starting when I was 18," he said at an event for local Manchester schools organised by his club. "I played basically right the way through until about two years ago, which was my last game. So hopefully I will play for them again one day, you never know."
Sir Alex Ferguson signed Owen from Newcastle United last summer, and he enjoyed a relatively successful first season as stand-in striker, scoring three league goals and four in the Champions League.
The finest moment of Owen's season came against Manchester City in September, when he came on as a substitute to score the winning goal in the sixth minute of injury time.
Proud despite injuries
In March, the striker was ruled out of the rest of the season after suffering a hamstring injury in the League Cup final against Aston Villa. The injury is one of many Owen has suffered over the years.
But despite his long injury record, Owen said he is happy with what he has achieved in his footballing career.
"I've had my fair share [of injuries] but also had plenty of games. When I look back and see the amount of matches I have played at club level, international level, I do not feel harshly treated by too many injuries."
Owen has made two appearances in the league this season, and he could feature against Everton on Saturday.
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