Bookmakers Asks: Will Owen Beat Injury?

Bookmakers provides odds on Owen future.

Sports betting fans who had gambled with William Hill on Michael Owen to make England's World Cup squad this summer will have their stakes refunded, the bookmakers has announced.

The news that the Manchester United striker is ruled out for the remainder of the season comes as a blow to the player and ends any hopes he had of a surprise inclusion in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.

"We are returning stakes to punters who backed Michael to make the World Cup squad, be England's top scorer in the World Cup and to be top tournament scorer," said William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.

Owen will be hoping to make a return to the United first team squad next season and is available at odds of 1/4 to play again competitively next season and 11/4 to fail to do so.

The striker scored in last Sunday's (February 28th) Carling Cup final against Aston Villa before limping off injured.