Pearce backs capello's owen snub

Owen hasn’t been called up since last March’s 1-0 friendly defeat in France, after which the striker told reporters to “ask the manager” about his selection policy. However, Pearce has

backed Capello’s pragmatic approach. “My view is the same as Fabio’s, he hasn’t played enough football,” he said. “If the manager says that’s the reason behind Michael not playing, then

that’s the reason.” Pearce was also quick to quash rumours that Capello has decided Owen’s international career is over. “The one thing Fabio doesn’t do is shut the door. It has been

mentioned that certain individuals have had the door closed, but they are not Fabio’s words.” You may like Following injuries to Emile Heskey, Peter Crouch and Carlton Cole during Saturday’s

friendly romp over Slovakia, Tottenham striker Darren Bent was called up ahead of Owen for Wednesday’s qualifier against Ukraine.  THE NEW ISSUE OF _FOURFOURTWO_ IS OUT NOW, FEATURING: •

Interviews with Kaka, Arshavin, Terry, Motty, Stam, Dave Mackay & the Chuckle Brothers • The Top 50 Football League Players • Football’s Top 20 Hoaxes • The Best Youth Team Ever • Inside

The Damned United • Swansea vs Cardiff Plus a FREE 36-page England supplement ENGLAND FANS! CHECK FOURFOURTWO.COM’S EVER-EXPANDINGinterviews sectionfor more stuff to read: One on One Kevin

Keegan, Sven-Göran Eriksson, David Beckham, Michael Owen, Paul Gascoigne, Ian Wright Web Exclusives Gary Lineker, Paul Gascoigne, Glenn Hoddle, Wayne Rooney Q&A Fabio Capello, Steven

Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott Boy's A Bit Special Theo Walcott, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Michael Mancienne, David Wheater Ask A Silly Question Sir Geoff Hurst, Alan Ball, Bryan Robson,

Peter Crouch, John Barnes, Peter Reid, My Secret Vice Jimmy Bullard What Happened Next? Carlton Palmer Perfect XI Sir Bobby Charlton, Graham Taylor, Bryan Robson, Ian Wright The best

features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.