England boss Fabio Capello appears to be calling time on the international career of Newcastle United striker Michael Owen.

He has given Owen just one cap during his reign so far, as a substitute in the friendly defeat to France in Paris 12 months ago.

And the Italian has offered no indication another will be forthcoming soon, providing a withering assessment as he explained why Owen did not even enter his thinking as a replacement for thigh injury victim Carlton Cole ahead of England's vital World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine.

"I have to choose players to play against the Ukraine, not against history," said Capello.

"I have chosen the best players who are in good form at the moment.

"It is impossible to choose someone who has only played for 20 minutes. Why didn't he play the last game?"

Capello did state if Owen were to "play three or four games he would be with us" but alongside the comment about the striker's past glories it seemed pretty insignificant.

And more importantly than either assessment, was confirmation, moments earlier, of how Capello envisages his team for the future.

"We play with three midfielders, two players like Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard and one forward," he declared.