Redworth (England), June 11: Michael Owen is confident England can overcome Slovakia in today's Euro 2004 qualifier, despite the absence of regular skipper David Beckham.
With Beckham suspended, Owen will captain the side for the first time in a competitive match -- an honour which coincides with the Liverpool striker winning his 50th international cap at the tender age of 23.
Owen acknowledged that England are stronger with Beckham in the side but said his loss was not insurmountable.

"I think we will miss him," Owen said. "There are not many players that captain the side the way he does or are as good a player as he is.
"But although we will miss him we can certainly cope. We have got some bright young players coming through and I am sure they will be trying to grab their chance with both hands."



Owen will be the youngest player in England's history to reach the 50-cap mark and admits he has thought about surpassing Bobby Charlton's tally of 106 -- the record for an outfield player.



"There are only a couple in the squad at the minute who have made 50 caps and not many players do it in their career," Owen said.



"I think Bobby Moore was one of the youngest at 25 (to reach 50 caps) but with the way things are going nowadays - Wayne Rooney was 17 and in the squad - someone will probably take the record off me."


Bureau Report