Michael Owen boards a plane on his way home at the airfield in Baden Baden on Wednesday

Baden Baden: Michael Owen will miss the rest of the World Cup after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

The England striker was injured on Tuesday in the second minute of his team’s 2-2 draw with Sweden in Cologne. Owen had a scan on his knee on Wednesday, near England’s team base in southern Germany.

“It has now been confirmed that the injury will prevent Michael playing any further part in the World Cup and he will return to England immediately,” the FA said on its Web site.

“Obviously it’s a massive blow to suffer the injury ? and be out of the World Cup,” Owen said in a statement. “As soon as it happened I knew I was in trouble.”

Owen’s right knee buckled after he had played a pass. He rolled off the field and lay on the sideline clutching his leg. He was treated by doctors and then taken off on a stretcher.

The FA said Owen’s recovery would be handled by his club Newcastle.

Owen said he was “clearly sorry” to leave Germany but was convinced England would be a success. “I’ll be following all the matches very closely and giving them my full support,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand was given the all-clear after a scan on the groin problem he picked up in Tuesday’s match, while Gary Neville is improving, the FA said.