TRUE FORM

Owen had been looking to show his true form against the Swedes, having been given less than an hour in England's two previous group wins over Paraguay and Trinidad & Tobago after a lengthy absence with a broken foot.

A serious injury for the 26-year-old, who has scored 36 goals in 79 England appearances, would be a blow to their tournament prospects.

Along with Wayne Rooney, who against the Swedes was starting his first game since breaking his foot on April 29, Owen is England's only proven goalscorer at the top level.

Eriksson had gambled by taking only four strikers to Germany, with the other being 17-year-old Theo Walcott.

The teenager has only made one substitutes' appearance for England, in last month's friendly win over Hungary, and has never played for Arsenal since joining them in January.

"As other options we have Walcott, who we haven't seen on the pitch yet and many players who can take that role -- Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard -- who both scored fantastic goals today," said Eriksson. "I'm not that worried about it."