Shearer: 'It's not about me'

'Saviour' arrives at St James' Park to scenes of adulation – but tells fans Owen will be true star of the show

As if he had never been away, Shearer returned three years after his retirement as a player and conveyed a sense of leadership lacking hitherto in an unhinged Newcastle season. He did try to steer away from Messiah talk: "This saviour doesn't have a wand."

While acknowledging the "pain" and "mistakes" of the previous seven months, Shearer was determined to look ahead. He was insistent that this is an eight-game project, though privately he must know the situation at the club is fluid.

Owen matters first. In a week when it seemed more possible than before to refer to Owen as a former England striker, Shearer stressed the importance of self-confidence even to such a player. "Everyone loves to be told how well they are doing and what a good player they are, that is important," Shearer said. "I spoke to a few of the players, the feedback has been very positive. Michael was one of those I spoke to, but you would expect that as [he is] captain of this club. All I want to see Michael do is put the ball in the back of the net, he's done that all of his life."

Shearer said that Owen took part in a full training session yesterday. The 29-year-old was dropped for Newcastle's last game, the 3-1 home defeat by Arsenal. Shearer stated simply: "If Michael is fit, he will start on Saturday."

Shearer dealt with other issues – such as Dennis Wise and Joe Kinnear – equally briskly. Wise's departure as director of football, Shearer said, "was happening irrespective of whether I came in or not. I made known my feelings earlier in the year on directors of football." Shearer's description of the post then was "dangerous".

The managing director, Derek Llambias, sat beside Shearer and said that Kinnear would be returning as manager in the summer. That chimed with the eight-game timetable Shearer kept repeating. "Joe Kinnear is recovering and we all wish him well," Shearer said. "What part Joe has to play for next season, you will have to speak to the necessary people. It's not about me." Shearer kept saying it was nothing to do with him. But it is the opposite. "I understand the clamour," he finally admitted.