Newcastle United captain Geremi has likened fit-again Michael Owen to his former Real Madrid teammate Raul.

"He's a great striker who scores goals," said Geremi, the Magpies captain, who played alongside Didier Drogba at Chelsea last term, a season in which the Ivorian's 20 league goals secured the Golden Boot Award.

"Michael's different to Drogba. He's someone who is always looking for spaces to run into, whereas Drogba is a fighter. He's the same player as Raul. Both are similar, playing the game the same, he's someone who is always running the defensive line and he can smell goals.

"We've seen that (with Owen's 87th-minute header against Wigan at the weekend). He's not a big player, but he scored with his head because he reads the game so well, he knows where to expect the ball, he loves to score."