By James Dall - EXCLUSIVE Last updated: 2nd December 2008
Duff: Eyeing Owen stay
It would obviously be a massive loss if he leaves. Hopefully the club sorts his deal out.
Damien Duff on Michael Owen
Quotes of the week
Damien Duff has told skysports.com it would be a 'massive loss' if Michael Owen left Newcastle United.
Speculation over Owen's future on Tyneside is mounting with the striker's current contract due to expire at the end of the season.
A number of Premier League clubs, including his former side Liverpool, have been linked with moves for his signature.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez confirmed on Monday that he is not planning on a swoop for Owen, however the likes of Everton and Aston Villa remain rumoured suitors.
Duff, who has played alongside Owen at St James' Park for two years, feels his team-mate is a vital member of the squad and is hopeful he will remain at the club.
The midfielder told skysports.com at an adiPure photo shoot: "He is a massive player and he has been for many years. He has obviously been unfortunate with injuries at Newcastle.
"But when he is fit, he plays and scores goals. It would obviously be a massive loss if he leaves. Hopefully the club sorts his deal out."
Owen has made 54 top-flight appearances for Newcastle, scoring 22 goals, since he signed from Real Madrid in 2005.

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Wigan |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Arsenal |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Birmingham |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Liverpool |
| 15:00 | Wolverhampton vs West Ham |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Birmingham vs Portsmouth |
| 19:45 | Burnley vs Man Utd |
| 19:45 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Tottenham |
| 19:45 | Sunderland vs Chelsea |
| 19:45 | Wigan vs Wolverhampton |
| Wednesday 19th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Liverpool vs Stoke |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Portsmouth |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Everton |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 1 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Blackburn 0 - 0 West Brom | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Man City 1 - 0 Bolton | |
| Sunderland 2 - 3 Chelsea | |
| Fulham 0 - 2 Everton | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 Stoke | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Wigan 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Liverpool 3 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Monday 18th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 3 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Sunday 17th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| West Brom 0 - 2 Liverpool | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 1 Fulham | |
| Bolton 1 - 1 Hull | |
| Stoke 2 - 0 Wigan | |
| Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Tottenham 2 - 1 Man City | |
| Everton 3 - 1 West Ham | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Arsenal | |
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