COULD it be that England's secret weapon in this Far East World Cup has his roots in the South of Bolton? writes Richard Mulligan

Actually 'secret weapon' is not an entirely accurate description. After all this is a 21-year-old who has already won the Champions League with Bayern Munich, and thus is rightly regarded as one of Europe's best young talents.

Yet he is still relatively anonymous in this country, due to the fact that he was born and brought up on a different continent and has never played for a Premiership club.

Ladies and gentlemen meet Owen Hargreaves. Remember, he was the guy with the curly hair that you didn't recognize on the official England squad photos, as they set off for Dubai a couple of weeks back.

It would be fair to say that if his parents had not emigrated from Farnworth to Canada just months before Owen was born, he would be as well known as any of England's young lions.

Here is a brief history of the man who is vying to replace Steven Gerrard as the fulcrum of Sven Goran Eriksson's midfield, and could make the starting eleven for England's opener with Sweden on Sunday morning even if Nicky Butt regains his fitness.

Born on January 20, 1981, Hargreaves showed an early interest in football, or soccer as it is known in Calgary, Alberta.

While his school pals were skiing, kayaking or chasing grizzly bears, Owen was representing local side FC Foothill Calgary.

Canada is not exactly the football capital of the world, but Hargreaves was fortunate to be spotted by a German coach who recommended him to Bayern Munich, the club signed him as a professional in 1997.

He began to get regular first team action during the 2000/01 season, and through Champions League coverage he started to get noticed in England.

Progressing so quickly, Owen soon had decisions to make in international football. Canada, Germany, England and Wales were all keen on securing his services. Petitions were signed as long ago as 1998 in the land of his birth, to pressure him to wear the red of Canada.

Indeed his decision to go with England was met with a fair amount of hostility in his homeland. Recalls Canadian soccer correspondent, John Molinaro: "Most soccer fans and reporters in Canada viewed it as unpatriotic and worse.

"Everybody has gone off in tirades against Owen. But deep down we understand his motivation in wanting to play for England and respect the fact he made a difficult decision."

Hargreaves made his England under-21 debut last year against Finland at Barnsley's Oakwell Stadium. Within two months he helped his club side to Champions League success over Valencia at the San Siro in Milan.

On the back of his excellent form he made his first senior England squad, and a full debut in the friendly with Holland in August 2001.

In an unfamilar left-sided position, Hargreaves struggled and England were beaten 2-0. He was criticised for looking inexperienced, and although he came on as a substitute in that magnificent 5-1 triumph over Germany, when he did not make the next three squads it seemed his World Cup dreams were over.

But injury and suspension problems meant that he was drafted back in for the Spring games with Italy and Paraguay and did enough to be part of Sven's 23 for the finals.

Last week Hargreaves was undoubtedly England's best player in the friendly versus South Korea, prompting Eriksson to say: "He has improved his technique all the time since I first saw him play 15 months ago.

"He is a very good player. I'm sure he will be very useful for us during the tournament."

With the injury worries England are facing at present, Hargreaves' presence has become increasingly important. His versatility will be vital for Sven's delapilated midfield.

"I prefer playing in central midfield, that's where I play for Bayern every week," admits Hargreaves in his Canadian accent with just a twinge of Bolton.

"But I've played in most positions and I'll do any job I'm asked to do.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I might be playing in this World Cup. I was honoured to be asked to play last year, but at my age I'm still picking up experience, just as I am at Bayern Munich.

"Playing in a World Cup will not overawe me, I have played in the Champions League, and I believe in my ability."

With almost all of his life spent abroad, Owen still feels somewhat on the fringes of the England squad but says: "I'm slowly getting to know the lads better.

"I am in a different position through not playing against or alongside them every week, but it's not like I don't recognise anyone."

So with the world at his feet, Hargreaves is starting to feel at home with his fellow countrymen.

And while Canadians seem ready to wash their hands of this prodigal son, the people of Bolton can embrace a potential World Cup star as one of our own.