Newcastle United boss Alan Shearer backs Michael Owen
The 38-year-old, who described the retirement claims as "totally ludicrous and totally untrue", said: "Go out and score goals.
"The player has always got the last opportunity to go out and do the business on the football pitch.
"He always as the chance to have the last laugh. My mind will never change with Michael Owen - if you give him chances, eventually he will score goals, I have no doubt about that.
"I am 100% certain he will have a future in the Premier League. But as to where that will be, here or elsewhere, that's for a discussion at the end of the season."
Owen could hardly choose a better day to end his wait for a goal than tomorrow with Newcastle desperate to follow up Monday night's 3-1 derby victory over Middlesbrough with a win which could take them to the brink of top-flight safety.
Three points, coupled with defeat for Hull at Bolton, would all but end the club's fears of slipping into the Coca-Cola Championship.
However, while he has enjoyed the last few days and a renewed sense of optimism on Tyneside, Shearer is taking nothing for granted.
He said: "That would be ideal, but we are relying on other results for that. We have just got to go out and do our stuff and then see what happens elsewhere.
"It's very important to keep the momentum going, but it's also very important not to get carried away.
"We have got a great chance, but we will respect Fulham because they are a tough side to beat with a very experienced manager."
Shearer is anything but an experienced manager with just six games - and one victory - under his belt.
However, the clamour for him to extend his stay will grow if he can guide them to a second successive victory tomorrow and ultimately secure top-flight status.
But he was once again refusing to be drawn into that debate as he conducted his pre-match press conference.
Shearer said: "I hope that's the case, and then we can speak about that at the right time.
"But all that's important tomorrow is getting a win again."
