Shearer ready to let Owen loose in the box

May 10 2009 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

ALAN SHEARER is ready to let Michael Owen back loose in and around the six-yard box to sniff out the goals that could keep Newcastle up.

Owen is set to be recalled for tomorrow night’s monumental clash with Middlesbrough – but not in the withdrawn role he has struggled with recently.

Shearer has hinted Owen has expressed misgivings about operating in behind fellow front men Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins.

And that could see the United skipper recalled alongside Viduka tomorrow, with Martins asked to play a wide-right role.

“Michael’s best position is in the box, getting goals,” Shearer admitted. “If you create chances, he will score goals in any team: our team, another team, whatever.

“It’s probably not ideal for him (playing deeper). He will tell you the same.

“He is probably still more suited to playing up there with someone, getting in behind and getting into the box on the end of things.”

And Shearer, whose decision to drop Owen at Liverpool last Sunday raised eyebrows, more than suggested his former fellow England striker is poised to start against Boro.