Captain Owen has led from the front in the past two games as Kevin Keegan's side eased its relegation fears with by claiming four much-needed points.

The 28-year-old's strike against Fulham took his tally for the season to eight goals, and his career total at United to 15.

And Owen – fourth in the all-time England goalscoring charts with 40 goals – is hoping to make it on to the pitch against France in Paris tonight in Capello's second game in charge, having been an unused substitute last time out.

Capello was at St Andrew's last week to see Owen – closing in on a double-figure goalscoring return for the first time since he left Real Madrid – find the net against Birmingham City, and he will find out tonight if he has done enough to warrant a recall to the national side.

Owen told the Gazette: "I don't like talking about numbers, but it's not a season to be proud of in terms of how we played, the points we've got and the goals we've scored as a team, and personally.

"Obviously I've had a couple of injuries, but I'm always looking to score in the majority of games.

"I tend to go on runs when I score when I come back from injury. I can be a slow starter, but once I score one, I tend to go on a run. Hopefully, that will continue.

"We're all trying to score goals, and if two of our strikers can get double figures, then it'll be a decent return, but we're not too proud of our record at the minute."

Remarkably, most of Owen's Newcastle goals this season have been headers, but the former Liverpool striker – who stands at 5ft 8ins – is quick to point out that he has long scored for club and country with his head, despite having a height disadvantage against those marking him.

He added: "I still read in some papers about 'rare headers', but my heading's probably one of my strengths given my size.

"I never scored many in the early part of my career, but in the last five years I've scored a few. I think this season five or six have come from my head.

"And I think of my last 15 England goals, 10 have been headers, but I don't care how I score them, as long as they go in."