The Magpies boss and his captain head into tomorrow's vital Barclays Premier League clash with Blackburn looking for a first league victory since December 15 and knowing anything less could leave them in deep trouble.

However, 28-year-old Owen, who has previously worked under Keegan with England, is convinced the man who once came within a whisker of bringing the glory days back to St James' Park can turn things around.

He said: "When the defenders are thinking the strikers aren't going to score, or the strikers are thinking the defenders aren't going to keep a clean sheet, or the attacking midfielders are feeling they cannot express themselves in fear of losing the ball, it can be hard.

"If you are thinking, 'if we lose the ball, it could be in our net in a few minutes' time', it doesn't help, and that can run throughout every compartment of the team.

"But in saying all of that, if you could ask for one manager who is capable of instilling confidence on the training field, it is Kevin.

"Results are the thing that are frustrating us at the moment and they are the acid test at the end of the day."

Keegan finalised his preparations for the game amid speculation, strongly denied by the club, of a divide behind the scenes at St James'.

The new manager is still awaiting his first victory after six games at the helm, and with just six points separating his side from the relegation zone, that is a major concern.

He will hope his players can put their anxieties to one side for 90 minutes tomorrow and help themselves by securing a first win since the 1-0 success at Fulham before Christmas to lay the foundation for a solid conclusion to a difficult season.

However, as long as an eventful campaign ends with no lasting damage done, Owen for one will be able to look back on it with a measure of satisfaction.

The England striker has suffered a dreadful run of luck since his £17million switch to St James' in August 2005 with a fractured metatarsal and then his horrendous knee injury wrecking his first two seasons on Tyneside.

Owen said: "If you had asked me at the start of the season what my ambitions were, I would have been foolish to say anything other than to play the majority of the games.

"I had an horrendous knee injury which followed a broken foot that needed two operations, so I would have been foolish to say anything other than I wanted to play some games for Newcastle.

"I have done that and played in the majority of the games. I did have a thigh problem at one point in the season and had an operation.

"I missed one game and got straight back in and I scored on my return.

"But things could have probably gone better. I could have played more games or scored more goals.

"But in general, I am pleased with the way I feel and how fit I am.

"Hopefully I can keep on improving my performances."