England striker Michael Owen is happy to carry the weight of the nation on his shoulders as he prepares to return to England duty.

The 27-year-old will wear the three lions for the first time since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament at the World Cup finals in Friday night's 'B' international against Albania at Turf Moor.

The country will look on in eager anticipation hoping the Newcastle hitman returns to the goals trail - the last time he found the back of the net for either club or country was in England's 6-0 friendly victory over Jamaica last summer - with the vital European Championship trip to Estonia to come on June 6.

Steve McClaren's side have scored just 14 goals in nine games during Owen's 10-month spell on the sidelines and his return has cast him in the role of potential saviour.

But while that will bring immense pressure, the striker has no qualms about taking on the responsibility.

Owen said: "That is the life I live. I feed off expectations of myself, of wanting to make myself happy and my friends and family proud, and the country happy.

"Winning games make this country a better place. This game is no different to many of the games I have been involved in.

"I like feeling pressure, I like there being something on the game and going into the game under pressure. I feel some of my best performances have always been when there is a lot riding on it."

Owen's departure on a stretcher after collapsing in agony just seconds into England's World Cup group clash with Sweden in Cologne effectively signalled an end to their hopes of lifting the trophy.

But, from a personal point of view, it left his season in tatters as for the second time in a matter of months, he faced a gruelling fight back to fitness.

Having set his sights on playing again for Newcastle before the end of the domestic campaign, he was as good as his word and made the last three games of season, taking his tally for the Magpies to just 14 appearances in two years.

His future at St James' Park has been the topic of intense speculation in recent weeks amid rumours Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool could be ready to attempt to lure him away from Tyneside.

The departure of manager Glenn Roeder and Sam Allardyce's arrival in his place, coupled with yesterday's surprise announcement that billionaire Mike Ashley had mounted a £133.1million takeover bid for the club, have added intriguing ingredients to the mix.

Owen was not commenting either on his situation or events at St James' Park as he spoke to the media ahead of tomorrow night's game, in which he will wear the captain's armband and play alongside Alan Smith in attack.

However, he was prepared to talk about his future on the pitch, certain he is returning to the big stage with his threat undimmed despite the two debilitating injuries he has suffered in the last 18 months.

Owen said: "I was getting in before anyone in the mornings and I was leaving when it was dark at night every single day because I just wanted to feel as if I was doing more than anyone could do in their rehab for a cruciate injury.

"It is impossible that I could have done any more, and I really feel the benefits now.

"Now I feel as strong and as sharp as I have ever felt.

"Okay, I have not smacked a few in the top corner - I have in training, but I haven't in matches - but I have got no worries at all.

"I just know I am back - I do not want to start create headlines saying back to this and back to that, but I know it has definitely not taken anything away from my game, put it that way."

Owen has been forced to watch from afar as McClaren's men have limped through their qualifying campaign, and he knows there is now little margin for error.

He said: "I do not think there is too much room for slip-ups now. If we lose a game, it does not mean we are not going to qualify.

"But we cannot afford more than one more slip-up, put it that way, and you do not want to be slipping up in a game against Estonia when you have got some big hitters to come.

"I know all the lads and I speak to a lot of them regularly, and they are as hurt as anyone at the qualifying campaign so far.

"But there is still plenty of life left in it. These next two games are important and ones to look forward to, but the game in Estonia is vital for us, and I am sure we will get a good result out there."