Shepherd left red-faced by prank Owen video

A video posted on YouTube from the Liverpool fans website Koptalk.com begins with a Sky Sports News report on a £9m get-out clause in Owen's contract at St James' Park.

In the video two fans pull up beside Shepherd's Range Rover in traffic and shout: "Can we have Michael back?"

Shepherd laughs and responds: "For £9m, I'll carry him back for you."

He then describes Owen as a "decent lad" but is less complimentary about the centre-forward's agent.

The clip, part of a longer video in which the two men travel around Newcastle, pretending that they are returning Michael Owen to Liverpool, has already received thousands of hits.

Watch the video below and scroll down to read more:

Owen remains committed to Newcastle, according to caretaker boss Nigel Pearson.

Pearson was today preparing to lead the Magpies into their final game of an eventful season at Watford on Sunday against the backdrop of Glenn Roeder's resignation and speculation about his successor.

And another torrid week, even by Newcastle's recent standards, has also seen 27-year-old Owen's future on Tyneside brought into question.

Shepherd yesterday issued an ultimatum to his £17million record signing amid reports that he could leave the club for as little as £9million this summer after two injury-plagued campaigns at St James' Park which have seen him make just 13 appearances.

Newcastle also laughed off the amateur video footage.

A statement said: "Anyone who has seen this video clip will immediately regard it for exactly what it is.

"It is nothing more than tongue-in-cheek banter in the most light-hearted fashion that nobody could take remotely seriously or try to misinterpret.

"The chairman shows just how approachable he is by having a laugh with a couple of football fans, and Geordies and Liverpool supporters are world renowned for enjoying a joke and sharing a sense of humour after all."

Several days of rumours have done little to ease fears on Tyneside over the England striker's future, but Pearson insists his commitment remains unchanged.

He said: "I do not think there is any question. He is a driven young man. He has had a difficult year and I know he is glad to be playing again.

"Outside of that, I do not think it is for me to comment any further. He is glad to be back playing football.

"He is single-minded and I have got no question that he is very focussed on what he is doing."

Asked further if Owen is still eager to play for Newcastle, he replied: "Yes, sure, absolutely."

Owen's first home game since December 2005 against Blackburn last weekend proved to be Roeder's last at the helm and, if he starts at Vicarage Road, it will be only his third appearance of the season after 10 months out recovering from the knee injury he picked up on World Cup duty with England last summer.

Shepherd is still engaged in a battle for compensation from the Football Association for the striker's medical costs and had indicated he might go to the courts to prevent him for playing for his country again until the matter was resolved.

However, Owen was yesterday named in the squad for the B international against Albania at Turf Moor in a fortnight's time, and could return to senior action in the friendly clash with Brazil and the Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia next month.

Roeder had indicated last week that he would be unhappy if the player was asked to turn out against the Albanians, but Pearson was relaxed about the matter.

He said: "First and foremost, it has been important that he has played some part in the season for us.

"Having worked with him for a number of weeks now on the training field and the last couple of games, although we have not won games, Michael has done very well considering the amount of time he has been out.

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"First and foremost, it was important that he finished the season strongly for us, and the B international will help his progression and ultimately, we gain from that."

The Magpies hope to unveil Sam Allardyce as Roeder's successor next week, and it is understood a delegation from the club has been in Monaco this week to discuss prospective transfer targets with agent Mike Morris, who has worked closely with the former Bolton boss in the past.

Meanwhile, Newcastle will attempt to end their season with a victory which would prevent them from setting a new low points total for the club in a Premiership season.

They currently have 42 points with 44 their worst return to date and, while it has been a tough week, that will be the only focus over the next few days.

Pearson said: "It is never easy when events like this happen, but you have just got to get on with it.

"It is the last week of the season and it is important that we finish the season with a good performance and hopefully the right result."

Pearson could have Shay Given and Steven Taylor back from injury - both are rated at 50-50 - but skipper Scott Parker and Damien Duff have both undergone surgery in the past week and are unavailable.