Owen in race against time to prove fitness

MANCHESTER (AFP) - Michael Owen began a 24-hour battle to be fit in time for England's World Cup qualifier against Wales.
Owen, who suffered a back muscle strain playing for Real Madrid on Sunday, was unable to take part in England's training session at Manchester United's Carrington training ground.
Instead he was gently put through his paces by England physio Gary Lewin with only light jogging and stretching on the menu.
Owen had said on Tuesday that a scan had shown no serious damage to the muscle and voiced confidence he would prove his fitness.
Even if he does recover sufficiently, Owen faces mounting competition for a starting place from Tottenham's Jermain Defoe, who scored on his full international debut against Poland last month.