Owen - 'we are feeling our way' (Allsport)

By John Curtis, PA Sport, Jeju

Stand-in captain Michael Owen believes England are "feeling their way in" after 1-1 draw with South Korea in their World Cup build-up match here.

Owen scored in the 26th minute to give Sven-Goran Eriksson's men the lead but poor marking allowed Ji Sung Park to equalise six minutes into the second half.

But the Liverpool striker was happy that the team came through without injuries.

"It was nice for me to score and we got off to a decent start. Unfortunately we conceded one in the second half but the main thing was it was a run-out and we had no injuries.

"It is important to play games together. The downside is that you can pick up knocks but we have not done that.

"Owen Hargreaves knee strain got a little knock but has ice on it and seems fine."

Owen knows, however, that the pressure will increase on England as the first game against Sweden on June 2 approaches.

"There will be a lot more pressure when the World Cup starts but we are feeling our way in, getting used to the climate, the different conditions.

"We will expect to be a lot better as a team as we go on. This is another game under our belts, " he told Sky Sports.

Trevor Sinclair was disappointed at his 45-minute outing and is enduring a nervous wait until Eriksson names his final 23-man squad.

Sinclair is in the Far East on stand-by in case Kieron Dyer, a good friend of the West Ham midfielder, fails to recover form his knee injury.

Eriksson must make a final decision on Tuesda afternoon and Sinclair admitted the uncertainty has played on his mind.

"It was a bonus getting on but I gave the ball away a lot," he said.

"I'm on standby until I get told otherwise. Hopefully (the squad will be named) soon. It plays on your mind a bit so hopefully we will find out soon.

Sinclair was delighted that England escaped without any serious injuries - though Owen Hargreaves has a knee strain - and revealed he and Dyer had kept in touch by mobile phone before the Newcastle man flew out to join the squad.

"We definitely don't need any more injuries," he said.