PARIS (AFP) - European heavyweights England and France resume their World Cup qualifying campaign on Saturday with serious concerns over the goal-scoring potency of two of the world's deadliest hitmen.
Although Michael Owen and Thierry Henry are feared by most self-respecting defences and have the public backing of their coaches, both know they need to rediscover their scoring touch - or else.
Owen, whose summer move from Liverpool to Real Madrid is rapidly turning into a nightmare, gets his chance to restore his reputation on Saturday when England play Wales in Manchester as he looks to add to his 27 goals.
Owen completed a session at Manchester United's training ground on Thursday and emerged unscathed amid fears he could be unavailable due to a back injury picked up last week while playing for Real against Deportivo La Coruna.
Arsenal striker Henry, meanwhile, leads the French against the Republic of Ireland stuck on 27 goals and having found the net just twice in his last 10 outings.
Should they fail to impress, England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson and French boss Raymond Domenech have the luxury of calling up the cavalry in the second installment of double-headers with England travelling to Azerbaijan and France heading for Cyprus on the following Wednesday.
Owen, having come through Thursday appearing fit and untroubled, should start alongside wonderboy Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford against the Welsh on Saturday. England's David James was the only squad member who did not train, the keeper having been rested after waking up with fluid on his knee.
But waiting in the wings is Tottenham's Jermain Defoe who scored his first England goal in the win in Poland last month.
"Michael is mentally very strong. He has always been the man for the big games and although he might sometimes not play to his best, he will still score goals for you," said Eriksson.
"It's not good for him, me or England if he plays too little football with Real Madrid at the moment. It's tough for him. He's never been used to sitting on the bench, not for Liverpool or England."
Asked if Defoe had a genuine chance of playing against Wales, Eriksson insisted: "Of course."
England are second in Group Six on goal difference behind Austria.
France are third in Group Four but have the same points (4) as Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland and face the Irish in Paris on Saturday.
All eyes will be on Henry especially with a serious doubt over strike partner David Trezeguet who is injured.
"Thierry is going through a bad phase with the national team," conceded Domenech. "It's a problem which will be settled. But Thierry isn't indispensable. He is not the only scorer."
Another striker looking to improve is Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy who hopes recently-installed Dutch national coach Marco van Basten can add more edge to his game.
He will get his chance when the Dutch face Macedonia on Saturday before a home clash against Finland in Amsterdam next Wednesday in Group One.
Romania lead that group with a maximum nine points from three matches while the Dutch also face competition from the Czech Republic for the sole qualifying spot for the finals in Germany in 2006.
"I don't think I know everything and don't feel too big to ignore advice, especially when it comes from someone like him," said van Nistelrooy who missed the win against the Czechs last month because of injury.
"When I was a kid, I thought an awful lot of him. He was my idol, now he is going to be my manager."
Italy, who lead Group Five with six points from two games, travel to Slovenia on Saturday before entertaining Belarus in Parma next Wednesday. They have recalled Francesco Totti, another man with plenty to prove.
The 28-year-old striker was banned for three matches for spitting at Danish defender Christian Poulsen at Euro 2004 and his recall is timely as coach Marcello Lippi is without Alessandro Del Piero and Christian Vieri because of injuries.
The forthcoming double-headers could also be make-or-break for Spain and Greece.
The Spaniards, bristling with talent, were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw in their Group Seven opener by Bosnia and face Belgium in Santander on Saturday before a tricky trip to Lithuania on Wednesday.
But it is Greece, European champions just four months ago, who have the biggest headache of all with just a point from their two games in Group Two and who go to joint group leaders Ukraine on Saturday.
Otto Rehhagel's team have lost 2-1 to Albania and drawn 1-1 with Turkey but the Greeks are not ready to panic.
"We have had a poor beginning. We do not seem ready and need more matches to play," said striker Zisis Vryzas.
"But we will not give up. In our next match we will give all our strength so that we can qualify for the World Cup."