England captain Alan Shearer has offered his misfiring strike partner Michael Owen some words of reassurance and advice ahead of today's clash with Germany.
The pair chatted during a round of golf as the England team took time off from their preparations for their biggest match since the defeat by Argentina in the second round of the 1998 World Cup.
Shearer said the young Liverpool striker was disappointed by his performance in the 3-2 loss to Portugal on Monday when he was replaced at half-time by Emile Heskey.
'Michael was obviously upset to come off having not made the impact on the match he would have liked,' said Shearer. 'Michael and I have spent time with each other before and after the match, discussing one or two things. Contrary to reports we actually get on very well and I like playing with him.
'We were paired together when the squad played golf on Wednesday - we halved the match you might be interested to know - and we had a good chat about a few things during the round. He knows he didn't hold the ball up as well as he might have done. But I am here to help him and if he can lean on me in any way I will always be there to give him some advice.' Owen's mediocre display against the Portuguese has left a question mark over his place in the starting line-up against the Germans, although the 20-year-old's raw pace against an ageing team may earn him a reprieve. If Owen does not start the match, then he will be replaced by either Heskey - also anonymous against Portugal - or Robbie Fowler or Kevin Phillips.