OWEN READY FOR THE BIG 50!

MICHAEL OWEN will go on to become one of England's most capped players and the country's record goalscorer, believes Liverpool's striker coach Ian Rush.

Twenty-goal Owen will earn his 50th cap when he leads out the national side against Slovakia at the Riverside Stadium tomorrow.

Anfield legend Rush, who now coaches Owen and the other forwards at Melwood, is convinced he will easily double that figure and overhaul Sir Bobby Charlton's record goals tally of 49.

He said: "It's amazing that a 23-year-old has already reached his 50th cap. He will be looking to get over 100 and he is on track to become England's record goalscorer.

"After a rest this summer, he will be even better next season because he has been doing a lot of training work to keep free of injury. Over the next two or three seasons, we will see the best of Michael."