England's Owen out of Netherlands match

England striker Michael Owen has picked up a knee ligament injury and will not play in the friendly match against the Netherlands on Wednesday, the Football Association (FA) announced on Monday.

FA spokesman Paul Newman said "He felt it in training today and brought it to the attention of the England medical staff.

He said he first felt it in the (premier league) game against Ipswich (on Saturday) even though he scored two goals in that game."

But Liverpool's acting manager Phil Thompson said Owen's injury was not serious.

"Michael felt a twinge on Saturday and will have a precautionary scan," Thompson was quoted as saying on Sky Sports television.

"We expect him to be fit for our Champions League game next week," he said.

Liverpool, currently third in Champions League group B, face Turkey's Galatasaray on February 20.

England manager Sven Goran Eriksson agreed for Owen to be sent back to his club Liverpool, who have been kept informed of developments.

"Sven feels there is no point in risking him," Newman said, adding: "There are no plans to call up additional players at this stage."

The announcement came hours after injury ruled midfielders Darren Anderton and Trevor Sinclair out of the pre-World Cup friendly against the Dutch at the Amsterdam Arena.

Captain David Beckham and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard also missed Monday's training session but are both confident of playing in Wednesday's friendly.