England legend Gary Lineker insists Manchester United striker Michael Owen should go to the World Cup.

In his column for the Mail on Sunday, Lineker wrote: "There is always room for a 'goalhanger' at a World Cup.

"I was hopeless in a poor side and Michael was similar at Newcastle. But playing for England at the World Cup is different, it is knockout football of the highest order and you are surrounded by great players like Wayne Rooney, Steve Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

"In those circumstances, the key assets for a striker are movement and mental strength, qualities Michael has in abundance.

"It gets the juices going when you know the difference between glory and failure is taking a split-second opportunity watched by a whole nation and 500 million people around the world.

"Not everyone thrives on that kind of pressure, but we know Michael does. He showed again recently in the Manchester derby that the bigger the stage, the cooler he is.

"In other words, the perfect impact player for Capello to have on the bench."