England striker Michael Owen put his injury problems behind him to notch 3 goals in the Three Lions two Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia, and provide a huge boost to football boot brand Umbro following the recent slump in England football shirt sales.

Since first wearing the White/Red England colourway Umbro X Boot III in February, the Newcastle United goal getter has had little opportunity to show off his flashy football boots due to his well documented injury problems. Image conscious Owen ensures that his football boots match his football kit, preferring to wear his Black/White colour way Umbro X Boot III, when playing for his club side. After scoring his 38th, 39th and 40th England goals to creep closer to Bobby Charlton’s record, he probably wishes he could wear his England colour way X Boot III for all his matches.

Last week we reported that England football shirt supplier Umbro had been suffering a replica shirt sales slump, which they put down to a run of poor performances by the England team, and bizarrely the bad weather we have experienced over the summer. Following two professional performances by Steve McClaren’s men which have put the Three Lions Euro 2008 qualification campaign back on track and stabilised the England manager’s position, as well as an improvement in the weather, Umbro will hope sales of England football shirts will begin to increase, especially in the run up to Christmas.

As if to add to the Umbro feel good factor this week, England womens’ striker Kelly Smith decided to kiss her X Boot III football boots after bagging two goals in the 2-2 draw with Japan in the FIFA Womens World Cup. Lets hope Kelly receives a whopping bonus from Umbro for her show of brand loyalty.