LONDON Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen returned to action in a reserve team match on Tuesday night after a two-week layoff with his latest hamstring strain.

Reserve team Manager Joe Corrigan said he had not wanted to risk the 20-year-old over a full 90 minutes at Valley Parade against Bradford City reserves.

"It was planned before the game that Michael would only play for an hour because we expected a heavy pitch and we didn't want to take any silly risks," he told the club Website after the match.

"He came through it okay and didn't feel his hamstring at all."

Owen reportedly looked off the pace and off form and received treatment for a hand injury after a strong challenge from Bradford defender Andy Myers.

In his last senior fixture, a 2-1 League Cup semifinal defeat against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, Owen was chided by opposition striker Clinton Morrison for a succession of missed chances.

He has since watched resurgent striker Robbie Fowler leap back into the England reckoning with three goals in his side's last four games.

Christian Ziege, Djimi Traore and Bernard Diomede all came through the game at Bradford and will be in contention for a first-team recall against Sunderland at the stadium of light on Saturday.

(Reuter)