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ENGLAND: JOHNSON RULED OUT OF FRIENDLY AGAINST GERMANY August 21, 2007
(SomaliNet) Because of fluid on a knee, Andrew Johnson has been ruled out of England's friendly against Germany on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old will return to his club Everton for treatment but England head coach Steve McClaren has hinted that Michael Owen will start the match.
"It's an ideal game for him to get some minutes under his belt," said McClaren.
McClaren has been hit by a spate of withdrawals but Frank Lampard will play despite a broken toe and is set to partner Michael Carrick in midfield.
Carrick's Manchester United midfield team-mate Owen Hargreaves and Liverpool's Steven Gerrard have been ruled out because of injury.
Striker Darren Bent has withdrawn from the current squad with a thigh injury, while Jermain Defoe has yet to start for Tottenham this season - limiting McClaren's options in attack.
Peter Crouch is in the current squad but is suspended for the crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel in September, while Wayne Rooney is injured.
But McClaren is excited about the prospect of playing fit-again Owen.
The 27-year-old has made only six appearances for Newcastle and England since suffering an injury at the 2006 World Cup.
But Owen made his first Premier League appearance of the season as a substitute on Saturday in Newcastle's match with Aston Villa after recovering from a thigh injury sustained in pre-season.
McClaren added: "He hasn't played in pre-season or had a game yet, so it's an opportunity to give him minutes.
"He is a very important player for us and one that we are looking forward to getting back into the squad."
With Gerrard sidelined with a broken toe and Hargreaves suffering from knee problems it also leaves the England coach stretched in midfield. -BBC