Capello won’t be pressured in squad selection

(GSM) – England boss Fabio Capello says he is not under pressure to pick any player for the World Cup squad, warning Michael Owen that he must feature regularly for Manchester United if he is to make the list for South Africa.

Capello maintains that any player who is not playing regularly at club level will not be representing England at the World Cup.

Owen is among the players who are not guaranteed a place in Capello’s 23-man list. Although the striker is chasing down Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time scoring record, Capello says that he will not be pressured in selecting Owen if the latter is not playing regularly.

Owen has been unable to hold down a regular first-team spot at Old Trafford this season and Capello insists he will not change his selection philosophy for anyone.

“Am I under pressure to call upon certain players?” Capello said in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

“A lot of people would like to see me select Owen. He is the best English goalscorer of his generation but if he doesn’t play, I cannot pick him.”