England striker Michael Owen took part in a full training session on Thursday, but keeper David James missed out as they prepared to face Wales.

Owen, who trained for only part of Wednesday's session after picking up a back problem last weekend, is bidding to prove his fitness for Saturday's Group Six World Cup qualifier at Old Trafford.

James, who was dropped for England's 2-1 victory over Poland last month after a costly error in their 2-2 draw with Austria, has fluid on the knee and missed training as a precautionary measure, a Football Association spokesman said. James is expected to train at Manchester United's Carrington training complex on Friday but faces stiff competition for his place in the starting XI.

Paul Robinson, who deputised against the Poles, has been on excellent club form for Tottenham Hotspur, conceding only three goals in their eight Premier League games this season.