MICHAEL Owen has publicly declared that he is ready to fire England to World Cup glory although he believes, in his heart, that coach Glenn Hoddle will stick with the devils he knows for the opening game against Tunisia on Monday.

Liverpool's teenage sensation knows he will have to force Hoddle to break-up his first choice front pairing of bad boy Teddy Sheringham and skipper Alan Shearer to make the impact so many experts are predicting as England's D-Day approaches.

And while Owen, one of the youngest players at France 98 at 18, believes he advanced his cause no end with his display alongside Shearer in Tuesday's behind-closed-doors practice game against Caen, he fears he will begin his World Cup career on the bench.

Hoddle has gone on record as saying that Owen's display against Caen had ''not necessarily'' increased his chances of starting England's opener, and Owen himself conceded the odds were against him at the moment.

''Teddy and Alan have proved themselves to be very successful for England, and I'd say they're favourites to start,'' said the youngster. ''If you put me on the spot, I'd say the manager will probably go for experience but I know I've got a chance.