Owen closing in on record

Fit again striker Michael Owen showed he has returned to goal-scoring ways with a goal for Newcastle against Everton at the weekend and his form has led the bookmakers to believe it's only a matter of time before he breaks the England goalscoring record. Owen came on a substitute in Newcastle's 3-1 victory on Sunday and now looks likely to feature for England in their upcoming double-header for Euro 2008 qualifiction. Despite Toon manager Sam Allardyce's understandble reluctance to let the striker play too much, it looks as though the national team manager Steve McLaren has no such qualms and Owen is 1/4 with Blue Square to start the first qualifier, against Estonia on Saturday, up front with Wayne Rooney. The more games he playes at national level the closer Sir Bobby Charlton's record 49-goal tally for England will appear - he is currently nine behind on 40 - and he will be eyeing opportunites on Saturday and then the tough trip to play Russia in Moscow on Wednesday. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid frontman is 11/4 with Bet365 to score two or more goals in the double header and if he hits top form then England will likely take a major step towards qualification. Ladbrokes have Owen as a 5/1 shot to reach the 50-goal mark during next summer's tournament. The firm are odds-on that he will not complete the full 90 minutes if he starts on Saturday because he is so injury-prone and go 1/2 about him being subbed. Wiliam Hill have been forced to cut the odds on McLaren keeping faith with under pressure goalkeeper Paul Robinson and they go 1/3 from 5/4 that Robinson keeps his place between the sticks. "Punters believe McClaren's loyalty will encourage him to overlook Robbo's current erratic form," said Hills' spokesman Graham Sharpe. Latest betting To start up front v Estonia: 1/4 Owen, W Rooney; 9/2 Rooney, Crouch; 10/1 Owen, Crouch; 16/1 Smith, Rooney; 20/1 Owen, Smith (Blue Square) When will Owen break goalscoring record? 6/4 2010 World Cup qualifying; 7/2 friendly; 3/1 not break record; 5/1 Euro 2008 finals; 6/1 2010 World Cup finals; 33/1 Euro 2008 qualifying (Ladbrokes) To start in goal against Estonia: 4/7 P Robinson (Blue Square); 9/4 D James (William Hill); 12/1 S Carson (Blue Square, William Hill).