Owen scare

"Two strikers...Are they out?" asks the Daily Mirror, referring to Wayne Rooney's injury woe and now Michael Owen, who hobbled off with a thigh strain after yesterday's training session.

Could things get any worse? Actually don't answer that, we don't want to tempt fate.

According to the paper, Owen was swiftly sent off for a scan, "but incredibly Sven Goran Eriksson is set to take a gamble on his fitness by playing him in tonight's friendly against Hungary at Old Trafford".

Adding to the drama, Manchester United's website suggests Rooney's injury could take even longer to heal after it was revealed that the break of his fourth metatarsal involved the joint.

Gulp.

Rooney's scan has now been brought forward a week and will take place on June 7, which will allow Sven Goran Eriksson to call up a replacement in time for England's first World Cup match against Paraguay on June 10.

"It's good to have a scan on June 7. We will have a better idea what will be the future. We sometimes forget we have another 22 players in the squad," said Sven.

Replacement rumours doing the rounds include Tottenham forward Jermain Defoe, while the Mirror claims that Sven will use Steven Gerrard as a second striker and Jamie Carragher as a holding midfield player for tonight's match.

Do you think they'd be allowed to use a soft ball instead?