England U21 boss Stuart Pearce has defended Newcastle striker Michael Owen over his push to play for the national team.

Pearce said: "How can you knock a player who wants to be back on the football pitch playing football?

"From the club point of view all you do is talk to the player.

"If he feels he is fit and he has represented his club first, then I have never stopped a player going away internationally.

"I never will do in my career if I go back into club management. You just keep your fingers crossed that they come back uninjured."