Shearer: "Without a doubt Michael Owen will reach 100 caps for England.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"I have never doubted him for one minute. 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."