Joe Kinnear has not been working with him for long, but Newcastle United's interim manager has already formed the same opinion as all of his predecessors: Michael Owen's talent cannot be ignored. The striker has been omitted from Fabio Capello's latest England squad, leading some to question whether his international career may be over, but Kinnear is adamant his exclusion will be temporary.

Owen, 28, has received sporadic recognition under Capello's management, with his second-half role against France in March his only appearance for the Italian. The forward was selected for England's summer fixtures against the United States and Trinidad & Tobago, but withdrew after picking up a virus.

In a Newcastle team struggling for confidence and inspiration since Kevin Keegan's resignation, Owen has not approached his most destructive form, yet he has still mustered five goals from eight appearances (a better domestic tally than Wayne Rooney, Peter Crouch and Emile Heskey combined). He has scored 40 goals and won 89 caps for his country.

“Michael Owen will play for England again, I'm sure about that,” Kinnear said. “He's the fourth-best goalscorer in England and I don't just mean now, I mean ever. He's only behind the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker and Jimmy Greaves in the all-time list.

“I think the England manager just wants to try a few new things out, but Michael will be in his thoughts. He is impossible to ignore because he will always score goals, it's as simple as that.

“The thing with Michael is he doesn't need me to speak for him, his record does that. He is a world-class goalscorer and he will force his way back into the England squad.”