MANCHESTER, England (AP):

MICHAEL OWEN is back just when his team needs him.

England have scored just four goals in their last six matches and three of those came last time out against Andorra.

The team is also struggling to qualify for the 2008 European Championship, so the 27-year-old Newcastle striker's return from injury for today's unofficial England B match against Albania appears well timed.

Owen will partner Manchester United's Alan Smith up front at Burnley's Turf Moor stadium in his first appearance in an England shirt since he hurt his right knee in last year's World Cup.

England manager Steve McClaren believes Owen, who has scored 36 goals in 78 internationals, can help revive his team's faltering Euro 2008 campaign.

Bench

"On many occasions I have been sat on the bench when it's been very close and he has popped up with a vital goal," McClaren said, yesterday.

"You do miss that type of player. The one who sticks the ball in the back of the net, the one who wins you football matches when it's a tight game."

With six rounds to go in Group E, England are fourth. Just the top two teams qualify for the finals automatically.

England play Brazil in a friendly at Wembley on June 1, and resumes Euro 2008 qualifying five days later at Estonia.

Owen wants to feature in both games.

Owen recovered from a broken foot to play in last year's World Cup in Germany, where he ruptured a knee ligament in England's 2-2 draw with Sweden.

"You would think the broken foot I had before had a contributing factor to me probably being not as strong as I should have been," Owen said.

"Being on a cast and being on crutches for a few months prior to the World Cup probably wasn't beneficial in the end. My muscles probably weren't strong enough to cope with the force of playing, then my knee went. But it's certainly not the case now."

After being treated in Colorado by knee specialist Dr. Richard Stead-man, Owen managed to play in Newcastle's last three Premier League matches of the season.

Owen refused to discuss speculation that he could return to Liverpool, which plan a shake-up after losing to AC Milan in Wednesday's Champions League final, or join English champion Manchester United.