Michael Owen has declared himself fit for England's bid for World Cup glory and insisted: ''If there was a game tomorrow I'd be ready to play.''

Owen has dispelled any lingering doubts that he would be ready for the tournament in Germany following his broken metatarsal in a clash with Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson five months ago.

The Newcastle striker has looked sharp during England's current week-long training camp in Portugal despite being confined to only half-an-hour's action - as a substitute against Birmingham last month - since the setback at White Hart Lane.

It is a massive lift for Sven-Goran Eriksson, who is still sweating over the fitness of his other main predator up front, Wayne Rooney, who is battling to overcome a similar problem.

Owen is aware of all the hype that has surrounded his injury but has remained optimistic of being ready to face Paraguay in England's World Cup opener next month.

Owen said: ''I'm feeling fine - and I have been fine for quite a while now. I have been training since the season finished, I have been training with no problems for a while now and I am excited about the World Cup.

''We have three games to look forward to before we go to Germany but there are no doubts at all in my mind about being fit for the first game with Paraguay, no doubts at all.

''If there was a World Cup game tomorrow I'd be in a fit condition to play. I feel fresh and raring to go.

''Maybe I have played fewer games than ideal going into the World Cup but before the last one everyone was saying we had played too many games.''

Owen believes his current situation is similar to when preparing for a new campaign after the summer break and nothing more serious than that as he starts the countdown to his third finals after breaking on to the scene in 1998.

He said: ''People have the whole summer off and then come back in for pre-season training, go through four or five weeks work then play their first game and I see it like that with me.

''I've also the added advantage of having been on the treadmills and the exercise bikes for the past three months. It has driven me crackers but has got me in good shape.

''Of course it's a relief. But I've always been confident about being ready for the World Cup. The way it has been portrayed in the media has been along the lines of 'will he or won't he be fit?'

''But I've always been optimistic and have never been down about things.

''I always knew where I stood. Of course, when I first broke it I wanted to know how long I was going to be out. Then I had a little setback and wanted to know what was happening with that.

''But that aside I've always been focused on getting back to training and playing. For two months at Newcastle, away from the cameras, I have been training and doing what everyone else has been doing for quite a while.

''I had the little blip at Birmingham but I spoke to other players who have had similar problems and they said that was normal. I have been comfortable for a couple of months.''

A delighted Eriksson said: ''It is very important Michael is ready. I am very confident he will be perfect for when the World Cup starts and very hungry after not playing for so long.

''When we had training, there were no instructions about not tackling Michael. You can't say that to players and he looked sharp and eager. Let's hope he can perform like we know he can in the World Cup.''

Rooney's hopes of playing in the World Cup could be decided by May 25 when he undergoes another scan on his broken metatarsal.

Eriksson will then have a better idea of whether the 20-year-old is likely to have recovered sufficiently to be part of his 23-man squad.

Eriksson will have until June 9 - the day before England's opening group game - to make any final decision on the Manchester United star.

But a negative reaction to the scan in eight days' time, on the day England take on Belarus in a 'B' international at Reading, would leave Eriksson in a quandary as to whether to gamble on including his most lethal weapon.

Eriksson said: ''Wayne will have a scan on May 25. At least we will know much more how the situation is regarding him after that.

''I don't have a date for when Rooney will join the England squad. It is difficult to say but we will know much more after that scan. Hopefully it is good news.

''I spoke to Wayne last week and he is working and doing everything he has been asked to do - and maybe even more than that.

''I have always been positive, not because of medical reasons but because he will do absolutely everything to try to get fit as quickly as possible.

''He is desperate to play in the World Cup. He has no negative thoughts.

''He is one of the best players in the world and wants to compete with Ronaldinho and Ronaldo and whoever. He really wants to be on that stage.''