By Matthew Jones
September 9 2005

Magpies' chairman Freddy Shepherd looks ahead to Saturday's Premiership clash at home to Fulham - hoping the game will provide the base of a momentous occastion at St James' Park. (Plus team news)

Saturday will see England ace Michael Owen make his eagerly anticipated Premiership return having signed for the Magpies' from Real Madrid for a club record fee of £17m.

Speaking to official website, nufc.co.uk, Shepherd said: "I hope it's a day we can all look back on and remember fondly.

"The buzz around Newcastle since we completed the signing of Michael [Owen] has been huge and it will be the same tomorrow. As chairman, but also as a fan I'm looking forward to seeing him play the first of many games for the club.

"The scenes last Wednesday when Michael walked down the tunnel and was unveiled at St. James' were just incredible and people have been talking about it all around the world.

"I said at the time it was my proudest moment at the club along with bringing Alan Shearer home and the response has been staggering.

"Everyone I've spoken to since we signed Michael has just wanted to talk about the events of last week. It has captured everyone's imagination.

"We hope everyone is still in great spirits after the Fulham game, but it's important we don't lose sight of what the most important thing is - and that's winning the match.

"We've had some fantastic nights at St. James' in recent years, both in the Premiership and in Europe when we've beaten the likes of Barcelona and Juventus.

"Everyone is hoping for another day to remember on Saturday. But it will only be a day to really enjoy if we get the three points."

With Ameobi, Chopra, Emre, Dyer, Moore (injuries) and Solano (suspended and injured) out of the game, the Toon will lineup as follows.

NUFC (from): Given, Harper, Carr, Babayaro, Boumsoung, Taylor, Bramble, Elliott, Faye, Bowyer, Brittain, Clark, N'Zogbia, Parker, Luque, Shearer, Owen.

Goma, Legwinski, Pembridge, Pearce and Crossley will be missing for Fulham.

Fulham (from): Warner, Volz, Knight, Rehman, Christanval, Jensen, Malbranque, Bouba Diop, Jensen, Boa Morte, McBride, Radzinski, Batista, Helguson, John, Leacock, Elrich, Bocanegra.

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)