Newcastle United Football Club News

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52,193

Shearer: Owen will deliver

24 Apr 2009 - 07:55:18

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Newcastle United boss Alan Shearer has backed Michael Owen to rediscover his goalscoring touch at a vital moment in the Magpies' season.

Owen has not found the net in eight games and his barren spell has coincided with the St James' Park club slipping into the relegation zone.

But with five games to go to save their top-flight status - starting with Monday's visit of Portsmouth - Shearer is confident that the club's ten-goal leading scorer can help fire them to safety.

"We need goals and Michael Owen is one of the best goalscorers around," he said.

"I understand his frustrations but he has got to stick with his beliefs which he will do.

"When you are a centre forward and you haven't scored goals you are going to get criticised. I know that, he knows that.

"It has happened before and it will happen again. He can handle that.

"We know that if we create chances, Michael will be there and Michael will score goals."