Tuesday Mar 18 2008 07:46
Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan hailed Michael Owen as still a "world-class player" after the England striker scored to earn the Magpies a 1-1 draw at Birmingham City.
Owen has now scored three times in his last six appearances, although he has only netted seven goals in total for the struggling Tynesiders this term and was left out of the England team for the 2-1 friendly win over Switzerland last month.
Keegan commented: "I've said for five or six weeks now that Michael is getting back to full sharpness, but every time he doesn't score, people say he is not the same player.
"Before you criticise Michael too much, you have to put all the facts into the mix, but he is fit now and he is a determined character. That is what I like about him.
"Everyone needs a few games to get back to full sharpness. Goalscorers need to get in the positions just to familiarise themselves with how it was like when they've been out for along time.
"You don't just suddenly get match fit and then suddenly go and score goals. No striker does. It takes time, but he is getting there.
"I think some people in this country might be losing a bit of faith, but just look at his record. Even for Newcastle, his record is fantastic by anyone's standards.
"He is still a world-class player. I don't know what the England manager thinks, but that's what I think."
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