Michael Owen answered criticism by Wales coach John Toshack by insisting England can prove their credentials as one of the top six nations - and qualify for the World Cup with a match to spare.

Toshack claimed England ''have still got to prove they can be one of the top six'' and ''may have to rethink'' tactics against leading teams after their unconvincing 1-0 win in Cardiff.

However, Owen maintained Sven-Goran Eriksson's side simply played as well as they had to in beating Wales and would have performed much better against Brazil or Argentina.

The England and Newcastle United striker, who is set to return after suspension for tomorrow's qualifier against Northern Ireland, declared: ''We can compete at the top level, no problem.

''It's easy to go on one or two games or whatever. But the better the opposition are, the better that the best players always play.

''Wales played very well and we played well without playing at our best.

"But I'm sure that if we were 2-0 down from a first leg, you'd have seen more attacking, more goals and more everything.

''You have to beat whatever is in front of you. If it was Brazil or Argentina, we'd have played better again. You raise your game to those type of matches.''

Despite criticism of England's display and Eriksson's tactics, the victory in Cardiff means beating Northern Ireland and Austria in the next two qualifiers would be enough to reach the World Cup.

England's group record, with just two points dropped so far, is so good they would then be assured of being one of the best two runners-up, who qualify automatically.

As a result, they would avoid the need for at least a point in the final game against Poland, just as they had to secure a draw against Italy in 1997, Greece in 2001 and Turkey in 2003.

''It's certainly more exciting going through that way! But we'd prefer to get through early and then get preparing for a big tournament so you can use friendlies to iron out any difficulties,'' said Owen.

''There are harder groups out there and it's been a relatively straightforward passage so far, although obviously we've got to finish that off.''

That process continues in Belfast, with Owen ready to return to the side despite not having started a competitive game since May.

''I'm fine, I've done a full pre-season and it's no concern,'' stressed the Newcastle striker, who is one goal away from equalling Gary Lineker's record of 22 competitive strikes for England.

''The Spanish league was a couple of weeks behind the English league so we were obviously preparing a little bit later, but I started six of Real Madrid's eight pre-season games.''

In Owen's absence in Cardiff, Wayne Rooney was the lone central striker in a 4-5-1 formation but would be moved to the flank if Eriksson persisted with those tactics in Belfast.

Owen, who seems likely to replace Shaun Wright-Phillips - - whether or not Eriksson plays 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 - insists he would be happy in that new system.

''It's a formation that we hadn't played before with England, but a few teams in the Premier League have been using it and we played it a few times with Liverpool,'' he said.

''If everyone plays well and interchanges well, I don't think anyone notices the formation. It's only when you're not on top of your game that you can see little bits that might need ironing out.

''Top international players can adapt to any situation. If you put Wayne with his back to goal, face to goal, in midfield, out wide or up front, I'm sure he can adapt to any position.''

Owen would nevertheless need support as a lone striker, especially as he does not have the height of a centre-forward such as Emile Heskey or Peter Crouch.

''If you play that formation, with one down the middle, you've got to get support to that player,'' he added.

''Wayne knows all about that position (on the right or left flank), he's played it a lot for Manchester United and I'm sure he enjoys the position.

''It's different with a big man, you can almost get tempted to play longer balls, but I'm 5ft 8in and I couldn't win many high balls, so it encourages us to pass the ball and that's where our strength lies.

''In any case, Wayne doesn't play alongside or in front of me - he always tries to utilise the space behind. It's always been a 4-4-1-1 formation anyway.''

Whatever the tactics, Owen is relieved to have his club future sorted, having moved to Newcastle to guarantee regular games in the build-up to the World Cup.

''I'm calm now I know where I'm going to live and where I'll be playing.

"My mind is a lot more focused than it was. Now it's settled, I'm more stable in my mind,'' he concluded.