Wayne Rooney believes his Manchester United striker partner Michael Owen can make it into the Engladn squad for next year's World Cup.

Rooney says it would not be risky to include Owen in the 23-man squad because he has such great finishing qualities and can perform on the big stage.

He did, however, concede that ultimately the decision lay with national team boss Fabio Capello.

"Obviously the final decision is down to Capello," said Rooney. "But for me Michael's a great player and a great goalscorer, so it wouldn't be a risk to take him to the World Cup.

"You see the great positions he gets in, particularly when it's tight and the defence is sat back. He creates space in the box and makes sure he takes his chances.

"Michael hasn't played many games from the start since joining us, but when he's come on he's scored some vital goals.

"That's what he is, a goalscorer. He'll always be a threat and he showed that by coming off the bench to score the winner against City in the derby."