Michael Owen may have earned himself a high-profile move to Manchester United but he has not yet fought his way back into Fabio Capello's England squad.

The 29-year-old is set to be omitted from the manager's final selection for Wednesday's friendly in Holland after being included in the provisional 32-man squad, according to The Sun.

After wasting a hatful of chances in United's midweek friendly against Valencia he is set for the axe.

However, all is not lost. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has tipped his new recruit to win his place in the England World Cup 2006. But, speaking to The Mirror, warned Owen that he won't survive at international level based on past glories.

Fergie is also backing striker Wayne Rooney to shine now that Cristiano Ronaldo has left Old Trafford.

"I don't think the responsibility of getting more goals will affect Wayne at all," the United boss told the Daily Telegraph. "He's got the mental strength. He's proved that time and time again.

Elsewhere, Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is ready to make a double swoop for Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin and Wigan Athletic midfielder Lee Cattermole, according to The Times.

"We’ll see if anything develops," Bruce said.

The Independent report that the agent of Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni believes his client is close to joining Italian countryman Gianfranco Zola at West Ham United.

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis is eager to bolster his attack by signing Everton striker James Vaughan, according to the Daily Express. Pulis is hoping the 21-year-old will be tempted by the chance to re-launch his career after a series of injury-scarred seasons at Goodison Park.

Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor has told the Daily Star it will be a more humble Toon side on view than the one which crashed through the Premier League trapdoor three months ago.