Real Madrid's Owen fancies Liverpool return

Real Madrid striker Michael Owen has dropped a major hint he'd welcome a return to Liverpool in the summer.

England striker Owen, 25, is still struggling to cement a first-team spot after last year's £8million move to Real Madrid. And he is desperate for more minutes on the pitch in the run-up to the 2006 World Cup finals.

Owen said: "Would I return to Liverpool? I would have nothing against it if I had to move for one reason or another."

"I left Liverpool on good terms and they are still the first result I look out for. They are still a club very close to my heart."

"I don't like sitting on the bench and I have been substitute a bit since Christmas. So let's hope things improve."