Owen Given Russian Warning!

Last updated : 11 October 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Steve McClaren's side face their Euro 2008 qualifying rivals at the Luznikhi Stadium in Moscow next Wednesday in a match which seems likely to decide their fate in Group E.

Birmingham striker Garry O'Connor played on the pitch regularly during his time with Lokomotiv Moscow, and he believes Owen, only recently returned from stomach and groin injuries, would be putting his health in jeopardy by playing there.

O'Connor: "If I was Michael Owen I would not want to risk anything on that pitch.

"It used to hurt me for three or four days after I'd played on the it. I would really ache because it's just not a natural surface.

"It really messes with your body. So, if anyone is a doubt with a muscle injury, they could be in trouble."

Former Russia captain Alexei Smertin: "We have a good opportunity to get some points because we're playing on the plastic pitch.

"I've played on that pitch. What's it like? Rubbish. I played there two or three times last year with Dinamo Moscow, my previous team, and it's not so good, to be honest.

"It's quite dangerous because it's different - your feet stick and you can't turn quickly and you can't turn properly as you run.

"The ball does bounce a funny way and it depends, for example, if the pitch is slippery. Then the ball goes very quickly. If it's not, it's very slow."