World Cup Digest/England: Michael Owen will captain the England B team in a World Cup warm-up against Belarus at the Madejski Stadium tonight.

Owen starts in attack alongside Peter Crouch to test out their partnership. Owen Hargreaves is at right-back, while Aaron Lennon and Stewart Downing are on the wings.

USA: Manchester City midfielder Claudio Reyna went off injured with a hamstring strain in the 16th minute as the USA were beaten 1-0 by Morocco in a World Cup warm-up game in Nashville. However, a scan yesterday showed there was no serious damage and US officials said the prognosis was very good.

Shevchenko optimistic

Ukraine: Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko is optimistic he will be fit to play in their World Cup opener against Spain on June 14th. The AC Milan forward has been out of action since earlier this month after damaging his knee during a Serie A game.

"My condition improves day by day," said Shevchenko.

Spain: Michel Salgado has suffered a hamstring injury in training and will miss Saturday's friendly against Russia. The Real Madrid right-back missed Euro 2004 after tearing a hamstring only two days into his national team's preparation for the tournament in Portugal.

Buffon questioned

Italy: Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was to be questioned by magistrates in Parma yesterday, over alleged betting improprieties in Serie A. Buffon, who is not under investigation himsel,voluntarily presented himself for questioning by magistrates in Turin on May 14th, but will now be probed by Parma magistrate Pietro Errede.

Switzerland: Striker Johan Vonlanthen (20) looks likely to miss the World Cup after damaging a hamstring during a training session. "It's very questionable whether he will make it," Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn said at the team's training camp.