Owen Has A Lot To Do To Become 'The New Shearer'

And it was timed to perfection, in more ways than one.

It came just three minutes from time after Owen had uncharacteristically passed up a series of earlier chances against Wigan.

Shearer had a happy knack of finding the back of the net just when the Magpies needed it most throughout the decade he spent at St James' Park, and Milner wants the ex-Liverpool striker to replace the GOALden Boy as Toon hero.

Milner: "Everyone knows what ability Michael has got and when you have those goalscorers in the team, we are always likely to nick one whether we are under the cosh or whether we dominate the game as we did on Saturday.

"It's just about doing the right things and giving them chances.

"Michael was out a long time and it is going to take him a bit of time to come back, but form is temporary and class is permanent.

"Everyone knows what a good player he is and I am sure he will score a lot of goals for us this season.

"We are delighted he has got off the mark here again, two goals in two games, and I am sure there will be more to come."