Source: Daily_Mail
Michael Owen's place is safe at Newcastle, insists Iain Dowie
Newcastle manager Alan Shearer will not drop Michael Owen in theirfight against relegation - even though the striker has not scored inthe five games since his return from an ankle injury.[LNB]Shearer'sassistant Iain Dowie has revealed that out-of-sorts Owen will startagainst Portsmouth in their must-win clash at home on Monday.[LNB] Out-of-sorts: Michael Owen[LNB] Best of the best: Sportsmail recalls the greatest matches in the history of footballShot-shy striker Owen won't be dropped as Newcastle fight to maintain top-flight statusDowie said: 'Michael's goal record stands up to scrutiny with anybody. He is used to this. People only talk about him when he doesn't score.[LNB]'We didn't get a lot of opportunities in the game at Tottenham, apart from the one from Obafemi Martins in the closing stages. Michael has worked his socks off in the last three games we've played. His work-rate is fantastic. He covered so much ground.[LNB]'He's doing all the things that are right and one thing is certain, if chances come his way, he scores.'[LNB]Shearer is reeling from the news that defender Steven Taylor is out for another two weeks with a recurrence of his ankle injur y. Taylor has pencilled in the Tyne- Tees derby at home to Middlesbrough in a fortnight for his comeback.[LNB]The central defender returned at Tottenham on Sunday but was withdrawn at half-time. [LNB] [LNB]
