Michael Owen will play at the top level for years, according to John Green, the physiotherapist who is the 29-year old striker's personal consultant. "Michael is an exceptional professional and is always diligent and committed when undertaking his programmes.

"In my opinion he will play at the highest level for many years - trouble free!" he told the Sunday Mirror.

Green explained: "Michael's medical issues have more to do with questionable advice rather than him being an individual susceptible to injury.

"He ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the World Cup game against Sweden in 2006.

"Michael had played limited football leading up to the tournament due to a fractured metatarsal he sustained on New Year's Day 2006 against Tottenham. Michael was ill-prepared to play in the World Cup but how could he refuse his country?

"When Michael approached me to rehabilitate him following his anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in October 2006, he stressed he wanted the programme to encompass the whole of his body.

"This would primarily focus on leg strength. Following tests, we deduced that Michael's hamstrings were weak eccentrically (this lack of strength renders the athlete susceptible to muscle strains).

"Michael and I instigated an appropriate regime of strengthening exercises to rectify the muscular imbalances that had been noted.

"Four months later, re-tests were performed and showed no deficits in strength. "I recommended a maintenance programme of exercise. Michael continues to do this under my supervision.

"Michael has not had any recurrence of hamstring issues."