Owen back in squad as Shearer waits on scan result

Newcastle United caretaker manager Glenn Roeder, waiting on news whether Alan Shearer's career is over, got a boost when he named Michael Owen in the squad for today's game with West Bromwich Albion.

England striker Owen has been out since breaking a metatarsal at Tottenham on New Year's Eve and it was thought he would not make the bench for another week or so.

Roeder said yesterday before naming his squad: "Michael is confident. He's doing plenty of running and striking the ball."

Shearer had a scan earlier yesterday to determine the extent of the knee injury suffered in Monday's 4-1 win at Sunderland.

It is feared that 35-year-old Shearer, who planned to retire at the end of the season, has torn a medial ligament and that his playing days have been cut short with only three games left.

Shearer is expected to learn the results of the scan on Monday.

Roeder said: "Alan has remained an eternal optimist, but there's no point trying to predict until they've looked at the scan.

"He could possibly get out on the pitch for his testimonial here against Celtic next month, but let's wait and see.

"We need to talk about his future after he's seen the specialist. We'd like to have him back for the next 10 years if possible!"