Michael Owen has today revealed that the thought of scoring an injury time winner in the European Cup final at Wembley is his motivation this season.

“Even if it is just one goal or one good performance, everyone is going to play their part,” Owen said. “I was in the stand on Tuesday against Schalke. You are feeling sorry for yourself thinking I would like to be on the pitch or on the bench. Next to you is Wes Brown, who has dozens of England caps and John O’Shea, who has got even more for the Republic of Ireland. Darron Gibson is also an international. They are not even getting stripped. That tells you everything about the squad of players we have got. I suppose I am dreaming of coming off the bench and scoring the stoppage-time winner in the Champions League final. That is the motivation that drives me on. Every day I have to be ready and prepared to come in and do something.”