Michael Owen has put himself in line for a Premiership comeback for Liverpool against Manchester United on Saturday morning.

The 20-year-old Liverpool star completed the full 90 minutes of a practice match at Anfield yesterday, arranged so that boss Gerard Houllier could assess Owen's fitness after his latest hamstring injury.

Owen has been undergoing intensive treatment for the problem for the past six weeks. Since his original injury last April, Owen has completed the full 90 minutes in just six club and international matches. Stephen Hughes's proposed £3 million move from Arsenal to Everton was revived last night, less than 24 hours after the deal appeared to have collapsed over personal terms.

Everton are understood to have increased their offer to the 23-year-old midfielder, who will now hold further talks. It is thought that Arsene Wenger advised Hughes to rethink his decision. "He's at an age when he needs to play," said Wenger. "That's why I gave him the opportunity to leave. He is in competition with Emmanuel Petit for a position in the team and I don't want to kill his career."

Arsenal captain Tony Adams wants to replace Alan Shearer as England captain - and believes he can help young defenders Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell reach their full potential.

Adams, 33, thinks he has what it takes to lead Kevin Keegan's side to the 2002 World Cup finals. Speaking last night he said: "If the England manager wants me to be the captain then I'd do it, but if he doesn't want me to do the job that's fine too.

Adams believes he has the leadership qualities to get the best from his team-mates. "I can contribute if I'm still needed," he said.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth striker Steve Claridge has been charged with misconduct by the FA after placing a bet on his side to win their home game against Barnsley on January 29th.

Claridge, whose side won 3-0, has been accused of breaching the FA's rules, which forbid any bet on a match other than filling out a pools coupon.