Shearer advocates resting Owen for Cameroon warm-up (26.05.2002)
LONDON
Alan Shearer has asked Sven Goran Eriksson not to field Michael Owen for tomorrow`s final World Cup friendly with Cameroon, Liverpool official website reported.
Shearer stated it is very risky to play Owen taking into account England team`s injury-streak.
He said:
"You cannot wrap Michael up in cotton wool during the World Cup - we have to play our best team in every game. But the final warm-up game? This is another matter.
"There is a strong argument to
keep him out and wrapped up in cotton wool, although I am sure it is not what Michael wants to hear from me as he has a chance of being captain against Cameroon.
"However, the last thing the manager needs in the last week before the tournament begins is yet another injury, especially to Michael.
"If anything does happen to Michael Owen I wonder where our goals will come from. It worries me that something might happen to him because Michael is our main hope in the World Cup."
