Viduka looks forward to Owen link-up

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The 31-year-old joined the Magpies last month from Middlesbrough on a two-year deal, becoming new manager Sam Allardyce's first signing for the club.

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Frustration over: Mark Viduka is happy to have a strike partner at last

Owen will also be like a new addition for Newcastle, after returning from an injury that sidelined him for almost all of last season.

Viduka is likely to start with Owen, battling it out with Obafemi Martins for the other place in attack.

Former Leeds ace Viduka admits Owen is a player he has admired for a long time.

Asked whether they can form a good strike partnership, he said: "I hope so."

"I've always admired his ability and I think we can complement each other, because we are different types of players."

Viduka is currently on duty with Australia in Thailand as they embark on their first AFC Asian Cup campaign.

After signing for Newcastle, Viduka left immediately to enjoy a short holiday.

He led the line in the Socceroos' first game in the competition today as Everton's Tim Cahill rescued a 1-1 draw and ensured Australia avoided an embarrassing defeat to Oman.

It is the second successive season that he has been unable to enjoy a regular pre-season, after being part of the Australia side that made it to the second round of the World Cup in Germany last year.

He returned to England to enjoy one of his best seasons in the Premier League with Middlesbrough, scoring 19 goals in all competitions.

Instead of worrying about a potential burn-out from playing two much football, Viduka believes the AFC Asian Cup could help him enjoy another good season at club level.

"It was a good season last year," he recalled.

"The good thing is the Asian Cup is at a similar sort of time as pre-season, so I suppose you could say it is still bit like having a regular pre-season."

Expectations of Viduka among Newcastle fans will be high - but he is not yet worried about that pressure.

"I will probably have to deal with that when it comes," he said.

"There is always big expectation, because Newcastle are a massive club and want to do well - and I want to do well there.

"We will cross that bridge when we come to it."