Shearer will also be mindful of the fact Enrique’s presence tends to bring out the best in fellow Spanish speaker, Argentinean winger Jonas Gutierrez, and with a lack of creativity a major concern that could be vital over the next five games. Shearer added: "I think he (Enrique) found it tough when he first came in, but over the last couple of months I think he’s adapted well.

"He’s very quick and pacy and gets up and down the line well. I think he’s done well over the last couple of months.

"We’re hopeful. He hasn’t fully trained, but he’s been working with the physios all week and that’s gone well. He’s been stepping things up, and if things go well, hopefully he’ll be in full training with us all on Saturday."

Meanwhile, Shearer has also backed Michael Owen to once again silence his detractors, even though the deposed England striker has scored just one goal in 2009.

He said: "When you are a centre forward and you haven’t scored goals, you are going to get criticised. I know that. He knows that. He has had it before and he will have it again, but he can handle it.

"Michael is fine about it because he has been in this situation before where people have asked questions of him and people will always ask questions of a goal- scorer when you go on a small barren run.

"But it is up to ourselves to create chances, because we know that if we do create chances, then Michael will be there and Michael will score goals.

"Creating chances has been a concern because we haven’t created enough in any of the three games I have been involved with and that is something we will try to correct on Monday."