Magpie Michael: It's Friends Reunited!

NEWCASTLE United skipper Michael Owen says he is delighted to be working with Alan Shearer once again after the Club's all-time record goalscorer returned to St. James' Park this week as manager for the rest of the season.

The two men were partners in attack for United during the 2005/06 season after Owen joined the Magpies from Real Madrid in a £16m deal that saw United top their previous record outlay of the £15m paid for Big Al from Blackburn Rovers back in 1996.

Writing his captain's column for the game against Chelsea in the official match programme, Owen said: "Alan Shearer's appointment as Newcastle United manager is just what we needed to give us that extra injection of confidence and enthusiasm, and everyone has certainly had an extra spring in their step since the announcement was made in midweek.

"It's exciting, and it's given the whole place a buzz. There are not many people who could come in and affect the club like this, but Alan is certainly one who can and the proof has been there even before we face Chelsea this afternoon.

"Everybody's in a great frame of mind, and now if we go out on the pitch this afternoon and get a positive result the whole thing can snowball.

"But we've got to get that first win, and all the players know we have to produce top form to get it, especially against a side like Chelsea.

"For my part, I'm really delighted to see Alan here as manager. I watched his career when I was a kid, I admired him as a player, and then I got the chance to play alongside him with Newcastle three or four years ago, which was great for me.

"Now it's come full circle and here I am playing for him as my manager! Who would have thought it?

"In all of this, there's certainly no knocking Joe Kinnear, who was struck down with his heart problem - we all send Joe our very best wishes - nor Chris, who we all like a great deal, and Colin, with whom we've all been more than impressed. But as I say, Alan is one of the few people who could have had this affect.

"Alan's been around and seen it all, he knows what he wants and what he has, and like me he knows we have a squad of players that is far better than the league table suggests. But we have lacked confidence, and we haven't played well.

"Now the last eight games are like a new chapter. We've played well in patches, we know we have the ability to mix it against the best teams, and today we have another chance to prove our worth against a top side."