Shearer Drops Owen?

Last updated : 02 May 2009 By Footy Mad - Editor

Owen's name was absent from the side posted at the club's training ground yesterday, the Newcastle manager again tinkering with his tactics and formation in an attempt to find respite in their tussle with relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

While Owen's form has been questionable, his omission still ranks as a surprise; the two have not only played together for club and country, they also share an agent.

Barring late withdrawals through injury, Shearer intends to field a five-man midfield at Anfield, deploying Mark Viduka as a lone centre forward.

When Shearer was appointed at St James' Park last month he immediately restored Owen — who had been dropped by Chris Hughton, Newcastle's acting manager, for their preceding home match against Arsenal — to his starting line-up. "If Michael is fit, he will start," he said then.

In the intervening four weeks, however, Newcastle, who are eighteenth and three points from safety, have not won and Owen has not scored.