The England international and his Australian counterpart are both battling to be fit for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with West Ham at St James' Park as the Magpies attempt to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat at Derby on Monday evening.

Owen, 27, limped off shortly after half-time at Pride Park to spark a debate over whether or not he needs hernia surgery, a debate which has major implications for England boss Steve McClaren as well as Sam Allardyce.

Viduka, who celebrates his 32nd birthday next month, damaged a hamstring in the 1-0 win over Wigan on September 1, but like the £17million man, has high hopes of a return this weekend.

Allardyce currently has the luxury of four experienced top-flight strikers at his disposal - Owen, Viduka, Obafemi Martins and Shola Ameobi - but Shearer believes it is the former Middlesbrough frontman who will bring the best out of his one-time international team-mate.

Asked for his first-choice partnership, he said: "Ideally, it would be Mark Viduka and Michael - but Obafemi Martins, I am sure, will have something to say about that, and so will Shola.

"They are both very talented players in their own right, but I think what is healthy is there is also Alan Smith who can play there as well.

"People are going to be fighting for positions all over the park, which is great."

No-one knows better than Shearer what makes Owen tick after he nursed him through his baptism in international football and then managed to persuade him to head for St James' Park to play alongside him in the last season of his career.

Injuries to both men limited their partnership at club level, but the 36-year-old has little doubt about the former Liverpool and Real Madrid star's ability to score goals, something he has proved for both the Magpies and England since his return to fitness.

Shearer said: "Michael has been sensational since coming back from injury. It makes me laugh when people question him as he has scored goals at every level he has played."

Newcastle's unbeaten start to the season dissolved in a lacklustre display at Derby as Kenny Miller's long-range strike clinched victory for the home side.

That is something Allardyce will look to address against big-spending West Ham who now include Newcastle old boys Scott Parker, Lee Bowyer, Nolberto Solano, Craig Bellamy and the injured Kieron Dyer among their ranks.

Shearer, who played alongside all five men, remains a regular visitor to St James' Park, and will be among the crowd this weekend.

He said: "I get to some of the games and I will be there on Sunday again looking at some of the old boys coming back, so it will be an interesting game."