'Owen can cap his England century' - Shearer

Apr 2 2008 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

ALAN Shearer has backed a rejuvenated Michael Owen to silence the doubters and join the England hundred club – after hailing the striker’s key role in Newcastle’s recent renaissance.

Finally match-sharp after his first injury-free run for over two years, Owen has played a pivotal part in United hauling themselves away from the Premier League drop zone, revelling in his new role as part of a front three alongside Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka.

United’s newly-installed skipper has hit three goals in three games but his vastly improved form still wasn’t enough to earn him a start in Fabio Capello’s second game in charge of England last week, with the striker reduced to coming on as a substitute in the 1-0 defeat by France in Paris.

That gave Owen his 89th cap for England but, with Capello apparently not convinced by the merits of using him alongside Wayne Rooney, his future place alongside David Beckham in the 100-cap club suddenly has an element of uncertainty.

But Shearer, the man who earned legendary status on Tyneside by hitting a club record 148 goals in 303 games for the Magpies, believes Owen’s improved form at club level will dovetail with an international return when the World Cup qualifying campaign starts in September.

“Without a doubt Michael Owen will reach 100 caps for England,” said Shearer. “I think it’s still very early days for Fabio Capello and it is too early to judge what he is planning to do when the important games start in September. He’s choosing different captains, different players and different formations in the friendly games, but I’m sure Michael will be part of his plans when the serious stuff starts. Michael will be taking things in his stride but he’ll be determined to get back into things because he’s that kind of character.

“A few people have doubted his ability in recent weeks but I have never doubted him and I know Michael never doubts his own ability either.

“When you look at his goal-scoring record I don’t think he needs to prove himself.” Kevin Keegan’s decision to accommodate all three of his big-name strikers has seen Owen slotting in just behind the front two over recent weeks, a role that Shearer believes plays to his former strike partner’s strengths.

That – combined with being handed the captaincy – has given Owen a new lease of life under Keegan, according to Shearer.

“At the moment Michael is playing a role just behind two strikers in a front three and it really suits his game. I think it plays to some of his strengths and he’s enjoying it while Newcastle are seeing the benefits of it,” he said.

“I’m not sure whether Kevin Keegan will continue to play that system next season but it’s something that is really working for them at the moment and helping Michael too so maybe it is something he will think about taking into next season.

“I know Michael is enjoying the captaincy as well. I think he enjoys having that extra responsibility and it is certainly inspiring him.”

After enduring a barren run around the turn of the year the vultures were once again beginning to doubt Owen’s ability to return to the sort of form that made him one of Europe’s most feared marksmen.

Owen’s return to form has been savoured by Shearer, still a close ally of his former United striker partner. Shearer – who fought back from serious injury himself – believes Owen’s return to match fitness has played a key part.

“I have never doubted him for one minute,” he said. “I know what it’s like when you’ve been out and injured for such a long time – it takes time to get your sharpness back.

“He’s got that now and Newcastle are starting to see the benefits. But with a player like Michael, you should never doubt him. I understand why people have been doubting him but the team wasn’t winning or playing well so it was always going to be difficult for him to recover his form with all that going on around him.

“People get frustrated in that situation but now fortunes seem to have changed a bit I think you will start to see the best from Michael Owen. He scored at Birmingham, against Fulham and Spurs and they are big goals. But then I always knew that Michael is the kind of player who will come good when you need him.”

BLACKBURN Rovers have denied a Football Association misconduct charge of failing to control their players and officials during their win at Newcastle on March 1.

The club were charged last month after an incident involving Morten Gamst Pedersen and Newcastle’s Habib Beye.

A hearing will be scheduled by the FA in the next couple of weeks for Rovers to put their case.