Shearer And Milburn

Shearer is just six goals short of Jackie Milburn's record of 200 goals in a black-and-white shirt and the strain was starting to show on the Toon number nine as he fought against defences single-handed. Not any more.

Owen said: "I only hope that I am on the pitch the day Al reaches that record. I say when because it is only a matter of time when he does do it as long as he stays injury-free. It will be a fantastic achievement for him and I want to be there to share it with him along with the rest of the players.

"We are both goal hungry as it is and we will be helping each other to score as many as we can between us. And as far as penalties are concerned, I have taken some in my time but Alan is the spot taker here and he is the best in the business. All can say is that I am looking forward to playing alongside him again next Saturday against Fulham at St James' Park.

"He was a big factor in me coming to play alongside him. He's a good friend as well and it's nice to be sharing his final season. But regarding other things like playing on and that, I am sure he has made up his own mind.

"The potential is there for us. I could have gone to many other teams in the Premiership and in other countries and I would not have joined a club which I thought was going to be in mid-table and not having any chance of winning things. Whoever gets it right up here will be a real hero and I cannot think of any better place to be when Newcastle United eventually win a trophy."