David Moyes’ Everton found themselves on the wrong end of a 4-0 drubbing by fellow strugglers West Brom last weekend and both managers will be looking for a response this weekend.

At Stamford Bridge Souness was without Shearer, who was recovering from a hernia operation, and Owen, a late withdrawal with a groin problem, but he hopes to include both on Sunday.

“They are two you would rather have with you than against you,” he said. “They have both got phenomenal scoring records.

“We have yet to see all our best players on the pitch at the same time and it’s now nearly December. That’s been very disappointing for me and I’m sure very disappointing for every Newcastle United supporter.

“But it’s a double-edged sword because players get motivated by playing against people like that.”

Souness has not been able to field his strongest team so far this season because of a catalogue of injuries and although Kieron Dyer, Stephen Carr and Steven Taylor remain on the sidelines – Dyer is expected to return from illness before Christmas – he is close to being able to do so.

Spain international Albert Luque, the £9.5m (€13.9m) signing from Deportivo la Coruna who tore a hamstring in only his second match, returns to the squad tomorrow.

“I’m delighted,” said Souness. “I think he’ll really excite our supporters when we get him fully fit. He’ll need a few games under his belt before he shows his best form but it’s just great to have him back training with us.

“Last Monday was the very first time he’d trained with the group – other than two Friday mornings on the back of international games with Spain – and he’s excited people this week in training.”

Newcastle have revived their season in recent weeks after a dreadful start and the defeat at Chelsea was just their second in 10 matches.

The pressure has eased on Souness, although his side remains in the bottom half of the Barclays Premiership – a situation he is determined to remedy.

Everton have had an even worse season but Souness has been in the game too long to expect anything other than a tough test this weekend.

“Whether it’s Chelsea, who are top of the league, or Everton, who are near the bottom, there are no easy games,” he said.

“Any time is a great time to go on a run; any time is a good time to win a football match, but they are all hard, they all throw up different types of problems.

“They have got good players, they had a very good season last year and I’m sure they were looking to build on that.

“Some of the players last year will have built up reputations and people will be after them this year.

"That’s football, we are in an extremely competitive business.”