Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan

Kevin Keegan insisted Michael Owen is 'still a world-class player' as England coach Fabio Capello watched the Newcastle United striker grab a vital equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Birmingham City.

Owen has scored 40 goals for his country but was left on the substitute's bench by Capello for his first game in charge against Switzerland at Wembley last month.

But the Italian must have been impressed by Owen's sharpness as his third goal in six games eased some of the pressure on Keegan, who picked up his third point in his eighth Premier League game since returning to Tyneside.

Keegan said: 'I've said for five or six weeks now that Michael is getting back to full sharpness - but every time he doesn't score, people say he is not the same player.

	Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan

'Before you criticise Michael too much, you have to put all the facts into the mix but he is fit now and he is a determined character. That is what I like about him.

'Everyone needs a few games to get back to full sharpness. He is human.

'Goalscorers need to get in the positions just to familiarise themselves with how it was like when they've been out for along time.

'You don't just suddenly get match fit and then suddenly go and score goals. No striker does. It takes time but he is getting there. This is the first time he's got to eight games in a row for about two and a half years with the injuries.

'I think some people in this country might be losing a bit of faith but just look at his record. Even for Newcastle, his record is fantastic by anyone's standards.

'He is still a world-class player. I don't know what the England manager thinks, but that's what I think.'