Kinnear dismisses Owen talk

Owen: Speculation

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Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear insists he wants to keep Michael Owen at the club after speculation linking the striker with a January move to Chelsea.

A report in the media suggested the current league leaders were lining up a January move for the England player.

But interim boss Kinnear said Owen is very much part of his plans, although he needs to improve on his present fitness levels.

The 28-year-old returned from a groin injury as a late substitute in the 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Monday night.

He could again start on the bench for Sunday's game at Fulham - which is being shown live on Sky Sports 1 at 4pm - as Kinnear is likely to stick with the 11 men who secured the Magpies' second successive league win.

Bewildered

Kinnear told Sky Sports News: "I have spoken to Michael about it today, he's bewildered himself where this stuff comes from. He just doesn't know.

"Of course we want to keep our best players, and I have made that known to Michael.

"He is a top class player but he knows himself that the fitness level that he's at at present is not what it should be but that does not mean to say that if I put him on with a half an hour to go that he's not going to score you goals.

"He's probably the best finisher at the club, no question about that, but it's the fitness level.

"If we can get him into areas, as I said to the other strikers since I've come, I think we've managed to score two in every game that I've been here except the Sunderland match.

Good strikers

"If we get people in areas we have got good strikers - we have got people who know how to put the ball in the back of the net and Michael is up there with the best of them."

Meanwhile, Kinnear himself is preparing for the January transfer window, despite not knowing if he will still be in charge at St James' Park then.

Owner Mike Ashley is currently trying to sell the club but Kinnear 's tenure could be extended if no buyer can be found.

He said: "I will know about my future after the Chelsea game (22nd November). Nothing has been told to me since the last chat I had with them.

"If I am fortunate enough to get an extension or get the job for a longer period of time, then I don't want to be left in the lurch.

"I want to know (a) how much I can spend and (b) do I have to sell to generate my own funds?"