Owen on the mend

England striker Michael Owen, who is nursing a back injury, should complete a full training session on Thursday before the World Cup qualifier against Wales on Saturday.

Although Owen missed the initial part of Wednesday's session at Manchester United's Carrington complex, he later joined the England squad for the second part of the workout, a Football Association spokesman said.

Owen is expected to take part in practice on Thursday, coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's deadline for inclusion for the Group Six match against Wales at Old Trafford.

The Real Madrid forward, who picked up the injury in Sunday's 1-0 Spanish Primera Liga defeat by Deportivo Coruna, faces competition from Jermain Defoe for a starting place alongside United's teenage striker Wayne Rooney.

England's qualifying campaign continues next Wednesday against Azerbaijan in Baku.