Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce is counting on Michael Owen to continue his goal scoring streak against Derby on Monday.

He said: "He did it against Wigan and he did it against Barnsley to get us on the way.

"He is a great goalscorer and he scores very, very crucial goals. Instead of scoring when we are 3-0 up and making it four, he generally scores when you need him to.

"Certainly his ratio for conversion of chances over the last two games for England is up dramatically.

"He had a couple or three chances against Barnsley and he had maybe three or four against Wigan and got one; he had fewer for England and scored in every game.

"He has scored three in two matches and his ratio now has rocketed up to one goal in two chances and two goals in three chances, which is exactly what somebody like myself needs and Newcastle United need to continue our undefeated run."