England striker Michael Owen has picked up a knee ligament injury and will not play in the friendly match against the Netherlands on Wednesday, the FA announced today.
FA spokesman Paul Newman said: "He felt it in training today and brought it to the attention of the England medical staff.
"He said he first felt it in the game against Ipswich on Saturday even though he scored two goals in that game."
Newman added: "It is not serious and he has been withdrawn as a precaution." England manager Sven Goran Eriksson agreed for Owen to be sent back to his club Liverpool, who have been kept informed of developments.
The announcement came hours after injury ruled midfielders Darren Anderton and Trevor Sinclair out of the pre-World Cup friendly against the Dutch at the Amsterdam Arena.
Captain David Beckham and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard also missed today's training session but are both confident of playing in Wednesday's friendly.