Conversely, Lennon's departure, and although it appeared precautionary he will go for a scan today, may increase the prospects of Beckham playing. However it was the performance of another wide man and another DB wearing that No 7 shirt - David Bentley - and someone who head coach Steve McClaren said had the "arrogance and assurance to be an England player" that caught the eye. The limited nature of the opposition, whose coach Otto Baric insisted was every bit as much a B line-up as the home side, should not be air-brushed.

But importantly Owen completed the full 90 minutes and although lacking both fitness and - crucially - confidence appeared to do enough to be named today in McClaren's squad. "It' s like coming into a new period with a team and you have a new signing and that new signing is Michael Owen," said McClaren who confirmed his squad would be bigger than normal and that it had been selected prior to this game. "He's come on a lot this week but I don't think we can expect too much from Michael. He still has a long way to go."

And it's taken a long time so far. It was 20 June last year that he crawled from the turf in Cologne, his World Cup in tatters, before spending months having his knee and his career rebuilt. McClaren has spoken about him being fitter and stronger but he's certainly not sharp enough yet to warrant a prominent role and fluffed a clear chance in side-footing wide after being teed up by Lennon in the opening minutes.

For a while it proved an illusionary moment as England quickly surrendered the initiative to the Albanians. McClaren spoke of his enjoyment in watching the "enthusiasm and energy" of his players but they were, at times, over-run in midfield with Besart Berisha the half's best performer. He thudded a 25-yard shot against the cross-bar and scored just before the interval, after embarrassing Ledley King, but by then England had struck twice.

Both goals came from crosses. For the first Nicky Shorey, an encouraging debutant, centred and Gareth Barry, an otherwise disappointment, alertly laid the ball back to Alan Smith who had cleverly pulled away to the edge of the penalty area. His low right-footed shot was powerful and accurate and beat goalkeeper Arjan Beqaj. Amid the attention placed on Owen it's been overlooked at just how Smith has re-build his own career, from an even more horrendous injury, and this was his first appearance for his country since October 2005.

Albania would have gone in level had Alban Bushi showed more drive than to hit a shot weakly at Scott Carson after Phil Neville's terrible header had left the England defence out-numbered. But, into the second-half, England were dominant. They scored a third when Owen slipped the ball neatly to Downing who deftly chipped it beyond Beqaj.

There were other chances too, but a flurry of substitutions killed all semblance of what had been an enjoyable contest. Not that McClaren will care. It was a rare evening of respite for the coach who knows that, today, the focus will become a lot sharper.