Michael Owen refuses to give up on England recall

Michael Owen believes that he can reach Sir Bobby Charlton's England goalscoring record, despite not playing for the Three Lions in almost four years.

The Manchester United striker, who has only played 79 minutes of Premier League football this season, believes that Fabio Capello is the main reason behind the disintegration of his England career.

"I am proud of what I did for England and what I have done," Owen told The Mirror. "Obviously Sir Bobby's records are in my sights. I am still here.

"As soon as Fabio Capello took over, that was it. I was on the bench for his first game in charge after having been an automatic starter for ten years, and then after that I wasn't in the squad. The manager is the only man who will know the answer why.

"You have to accept it. If you get upset and angry to start with, if you will keep getting wound up. You have to let it go and that's that. I don't know why, that's something you have to ask the current manager."

The 32-year-old has racked up 40 goals in 80 appearances for his country.