ENGLAND PROFILE: OWEN HARGREAVES
After an impressive Germany 2006 Owen Hargreaves was named both England's player of the World Cup and Player of the Year.
And having cemented his place as the holding midfielder in the national side, the 26-year-old had an unfortunate spate of injuries problems since and featured much less than he would have liked for his country.
After breaking his leg and missing most of his final season at Bayern Munich before his £18m transfer to Manchester United, the Calgary-born player relished every opportunity to represent England in 2007.
His superb battling and peerless fitness were on display when he played all 90 minutes of England's tricky Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel in Tel Aviv and in their impressive away victory over Andorra.
The game against Israel ended goalless and England defeated Andorra 3-0 and kept another clean sheet.
Though England rued their profligacy in front of goal that they did not concede in Hargreaves' two games proves the importance of him in the destroyer role.
In the nine games that the midfielder has missed this year, England have conceded eight goals - and that includes matches against Austria, Estonia and Andorra.
It is no small coincidence that England have leaked a number of goals since Hargreaves last appeared for his country - in March. He is yet to have played for the nation as a Manchester United player.
Fabio Capello will be delighted that Hargreaves is back playing regular club football, and back to his best form.
After an impressive Germany 2006 Owen Hargreaves was named both England's player of the World Cup and Player of the Year.
And having cemented his place as the holding midfielder in the national side, the 26-year-old had an unfortunate spate of injuries problems since and featured much less than he would have liked for his country.
After breaking his leg and missing most of his final season at Bayern Munich before his £18m transfer to Manchester United, the Calgary-born player relished every opportunity to represent England in 2007.
His superb battling and peerless fitness were on display when he played all 90 minutes of England's tricky Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel in Tel Aviv and in their impressive away victory over Andorra.
The game against Israel ended goalless and England defeated Andorra 3-0 and kept another clean sheet.
Though England rued their profligacy in front of goal that they did not concede in Hargreaves' two games proves the importance of him in the destroyer role.
In the nine games that the midfielder has missed this year, England have conceded eight goals - and that includes matches against Austria, Estonia and Andorra.
It is no small coincidence that England have leaked a number of goals since Hargreaves last appeared for his country - in March. He is yet to have played for the nation as a Manchester United player.
Fabio Capello will be delighted that Hargreaves is back playing regular club football, and back to his best form.
