The 27-year-old, who learnt his trade amid the passion of the city rivalry between Liverpool and Everton, will get his first taste of the Tyne-Wear derby tomorrow when he runs out to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Owen was injured for the 3-2 win at St James' Park and the 4-1 victory on Wearside two seasons ago, but has fond memories of at least one of his encounters with Barcelona during his year with Real Madrid.

He said: "We won 4-2 at home, and we lost 3-2 away.

"The scorer's chart on the 4-2 win at home was fantastic. It was Ronaldo, (Zinedine) Zidane, Raul and Owen, and then Ronaldinho and (Samuel) Eto'o for Barcelona - so that's five great players!

"All derbies are obviously different, and that in a way isn't a derby. It's just two successful teams - they are miles apart.

"But they call it El Derby or El Clásico, and it's a fantastic occasion.

"Every derby is different, whether it's Liverpool v Everton or Newcastle v Sunderland.

"I have never played in a Newcastle v Sunderland derby, and I am looking forward to sampling this one."

Owen could be partnered for the first time since September 23 by Mark Viduka after the 32-year-old Australian finally shook off a troublesome calf injury.

Newcastle have not lost on Wearside since April 1980, and that is a record they would dearly love to preserve this weekend after last Saturday's disastrous 4-1 home defeat by Portsmouth.

Defender Steven Taylor will hope to retain his place in a defence which was torn apart by Pompey, and as one of the few locals in the squad - he was born in Greenwich, but brought up in Whitley Bay - he knows exactly what is at stake.

Taylor said: "Every Geordie looks forward to the derby games. It's a massive game for me, the fans and everyone associated with the club.

"It's a game we have really got to win. It means so much to the whole of Newcastle.

"I am desperate to play, but the manager makes the decision.

"If I am not playing, it will be like someone punching me in the face - that's how much pain I will be in.

"But all players should feel like that, and there is that much competition for places, no-one's place is safe. You have got to perform to keep your place."

Magpies boss Sam Allardyce faces a series of difficult decisions after a week during which chairman Chris Mort was forced to deny reports that Blackburn's Mark Hughes was being lined up as a replacement for the 52-year-old.

The man himself, however, was not fazed.

Allardyce said: "That's life and I have lived with that for the last 16 or 17 years that I have been a manager.

"It has, of course, got worse as the years have gone on, so I do not expect it to get any better if we lose football matches."

Owner Mike Ashley will have the perfect opportunity to gauge the views of the club's fans this weekend after deciding to wear his black and white shirt at the Stadium of Light after all, but to do so among the travelling supporters rather than in his seat in the directors' box.

Mort said: "(Sunderland chairman) Niall (Quinn) understands that Mike wants to wear his black and white shirt for this game more than any other, but at the same time, he does not want to cause anyone at Sunderland any problems for doing so.

"As a result, Mike has decided to watch tomorrow's game in with our fans behind the goal, and he is very much looking forward to doing so."