Kevin Keegan is set to partner Michael Owen with Andy Cole in an England starting line-up for the first time in Saturday's opening World Cup qualifier with Germany at Wembley.

The England coach fell just short of actually confirming the duo in his team - but then admitted Owen and Cole were currently ''the best two strikers in the country'' and that he would be reverting to playing two up front.

Keegan can also see no reason why Owen and Cole, who have both scored club hat-tricks this season, cannot become ''a fantastic combination'' for their country.

Cole impressed in the lone striking role in last month's morale-boosting draw with newly crowned Euro 2000 champions France but it was Owen who scored the equaliser after coming on as a late substitute.

Those final 12 minutes in the Stade de France represented the only time that Owen and Cole, who is still searching for his first international goal, have been in tandem.

But Keegan has no doubts they can succeed as a combination on the highest stage as England aim to repeat their Euro 2000 win over the Germans in Charleroi thanks to Alan Shearer's goal.

Owen was substituted in every game in Holland and Belgium in the summer before suffering the disappointment of missing out on a start against France.

But he believes he can do no more after his current form with Liverpool to become a first choice with Keegan as he aims to step into Shearer's shoes on a long-term basis.

Keegan said: ''I think that's fair comment from Michael. I think he has had a tremendous start to the season and I did say after the game in France that I would make changes for the Germany game.

''Michael has been very, very impressive, both with Liverpool and whenever he has been here with us. His attitude has been tremendous and he is a very mature lad.

''I am not going to name my team now but I think it would be very unlikely for me to play with just one striker at home. I think you would have to go back to the Doomsday Book to see the last time I did that!

''I do have a few partnerships that excite me. I think Emile Heskey and Kevin Phillips would be a good combination for England as well.

''But Andy Cole and Michael Owen are the best two strikers in the country at the moment and I think they can play together. I don't see any reason why they can't be a fantastic combination. I honestly believe that. They both have a lot of pace, that's for certain. That's one thing that jumps out at me.''

Nine players - Tony Adams, Martin Keown, David Beckham, Andy Cole, Kieron Dyer, Heskey, Rio Ferdinand, Graeme Le Saux and Dennis Wise did not train yesterday.

But Keegan is optimistic he may have a virtual clean bill of health for the double-header with the Germans and Finland and expects everyone in his squad to train by tomorrow.

He is confident central defender Keown will have recovered after hobbling away following Arsenal's win over Manchester United at Highbury on Sunday.

Tottenham's Darren Anderton will be brought in as cover if anyone is forced to pull out after confirming his fitness after injury at the weekend.

l Sunderland duo Kevin Kilbane and Niall Quinn were last night selected by Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Portugal in Lisbon. It will be Quinn's 81st international cap