"Yes, Earnshaw was on our short-list of strikers we were looking at," said Bowen.
"We have kept a close eye on him throughout the season, both at club and international level.
"I have to say, had we not signed Heskey then our interest in Earnshaw would have increased, because both I and Steve (Bruce) believe he can make the grade in the Premiership.
"In fact I would go as far as to say we have no doubts about that. But faced with Heskey or Earnshaw, we went with a player that has 40 international caps and is still only 26 years of age. And added to that there is the fact that Heskey has several years experience in the Premiership."
News on Earnie has been quiet of late with Celtic, Fulham and Charlton still linked to him but with very little evidence.