Owen set for Turf Moor outing

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Owen has only just returned to action after rupturing knee ligaments in the World Cup draw with Sweden last June, an injury which has led to Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd launching a legal battle against the Football Association for increased compensation for their £16million player.

With no Liverpool, Chelsea or Manchester United players - other than Red Devils striker Alan Smith - considered, McClaren has named his strongest possible squad, including five players who have not represented England at senior level; Michael Dawson, Joleon Lescott, Nicky Shorey, David Bentley and Sheffield United's Phil Jagielka.

While there had been a suggestion Lescott, Shorey and Bentley would all feature, and Dawson has been around the England squad for a while, Jagielka's inclusion is a major surprise.

A former England Under-17 and Under-21 international, the Manchester-born midfielder has been a key figure in the Blades' scramble towards Premiership safety this term.

The 24-year-old has been a regular member of the United side since he was a teenager and recently scooped the club's player of the year award for the third season running.

Bentley's rise to prominence will give fresh hope to all players who are released by England's major clubs, having been snapped up by Blackburn after failing to force his way into the first-team scene at Arsenal.

Lescott and Shorey are rewarded for outstanding campaigns with Everton and Reading respectively.

In fact, with Middlesbrough's Jonathan Woodgate omitted and seemingly out of the high-profile friendly with Brazil on June 1 and the following week's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia, Lescott could retain his place when McClaren names his senior squad immediately after the Albania clash.