CARL ROBINSON heads to the Wales training camp in Cardiff today before Saturday's World Cup qualifier against England hoping for an early birthday gift from manager Mark Hughes.

The Sunderland midfielder, who has been at the centre of his side's recent Coca-Cola Championship renaissance, turns 28 four days after the clash at Old Trafford and is looking to celebrate with a starting spot in Robbie Savage's absence.

The Birmingham midfielder will miss the qualifier through suspension after being dismissed in last month's game against Northern Ireland in Cardiff.

The game ended all square and Robinson is aware of the need for Wales to pick up points this weekend and is itching to pit his wits against the cream of the Premiership and win his 19th cap.

He said: "I'm looking forward to the Welsh game against England. I'm just happy to be involved in the squad.

"It's a massive game and games like this don't come along very often.

"It's unfortunate Robbie is going to be missing. It was a harsh sending off and had it been me that had been sent off I would have been arguing my case as well.

"But one guy's misfortune is another guy's gain and I'm probably one of four or five who will want to be playing in this game in his position.

"But whoever is picked will give their best and do well."

* Sven-Goran Eriksson is facing one of the biggest tests of his loyalty to his key England players as Michael Owen's place comes under increasing pressure this week.

The chances remain that the England coach will keep faith with Owen, who is his vice-captain and has, after all, rarely let England down on the biggest stages of all, with 27 goals in 63 caps.

However, the Real Madrid striker has it all to prove this week, having been taken off after just 52 minutes of only his second start for his new club on Sunday night with a hamstring strain

''Michael has a slight problem with his hamstring but we believe it is only a minor issue,'' Eriksson said.

''Michael will meet up with the rest of the squad on Tuesday and our medical staff, who are already aware of the situation, will assess him then. Our feeling at the moment is we expect him to be available for selection for the game against Wales on Saturday.''

* Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has won ''substantial'' damages from the BBC over claims he ''exploited the loose disciplines of football'' over transfer deals.

The publishing arm of the broadcasting corporation, BBC Worldwide, alleged in publicity for a book that the Hoops' boss had shares in a football agent business.

One of the authors of the book also claimed he had dealt in its players while a shareholder.

But, at the High Court in London, the BBC accepted this was untrue and apologised for the claims in the press release.