Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan watched Michael Owen fire Newcastle into the Carling Cup third round with a 3-2 extra-time win over Coventry and declared: "You can wait a lifetime for a player like that."
Keegan is unhappy at the failure of club officials to open contract negotiations with Owen, who is entering the final season of his present deal.
The 28-year-old is bound to be one of the names to crop up when Keegan meets owner Mike Ashley for key talks aimed at bolstering the Tyneside giants and the Magpies boss has already made it clear what he thinks.
"Michael Owen is not only one player - he is a very special player," Keegan said.
"He is very important to this football club and my vision for it and if other people do not share that it is their problem.
"I do not say these things publicly for any other reason than I believe it.
"I know the kind of people you need at a football club. You can wait a lifetime for people who can help take it forward and he is one.
"My job is to manage the club and that is what I am trying to do. I am not trying to be awkward. I am just saying this is the way it is."
There was little doubt Owen would provide the perfect finish for Newcastle once Jose Enrique Diaz had floated a superb pass over the Coventry defence.
Certainly Keegan was no surprised his star striker finished so expertly.
"One chance, one goal. He is really struggling isn't he," said the Newcastle chief.
"Once Michael gets into a position like that you do expect him to finish because he expects it himself."
Owen, who claimed afterwards he was fit enough to play the full match rather than the 15 minutes Keegan had planned until extra-time offered him another 30, was probably the only member of the visiting contingent pleased at having to play on.
With James Milner outstanding, Newcastle were dominant throughout.
Charles N'Zogbia opened their account before Milner's cross-shot made it two, drawing high praise from Keegan, who feels Fabio Capello should call him into the full England squad.
"Once you have played 30 games for the Under 21s you deserve a crack at the big time," Keegan said.
"He is as good, if not better, than some of the lads who have had a chance.
"He is one that Fabio Capello should have a serious look at. Capello needs to talk to a few people. He might not know James but those around him should."
Amazingly though Milner is being courted by Aston Villa, who had a delegation at the Ricoh Arena ahead of what is likely to be another bid before Monday's transfer deadline. Not that Keegan wants to receive one.
"James has a three-year-contract - I do not even want to talk about losing him," he said.
"He is absolutely top notch, around the club, around the training ground. He is getting better and better every game."
After a home hammering against Bristol City at the weekend, Coventry might have folded.
Instead, Clinton Morrison brought them back into it during first-half stoppage time, setting up skipper Scott Dann's leveller right at the death.
It seemed Coventry would go on to win, only for Owen to dash their hopes.
"It is bitter-sweet day," said Sky Blues boss Chris Coleman.
"We are disappointed to lose but the lads deserve a lot of credit for the character they showed.
"They answered all my questions and more."
