Kinnear confident over Owen

Toon boss remains upbeat over Owen contract situation

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 24th December 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Kinnear confident over Owen

Kinnear: Understands Owen's reasoning

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Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear is confident Michael Owen will sign a new deal despite the striker opting to wait until the end of the season to make a decision.

The striker was offered a new three-year deal earlier this month by the club with his current contract set to run out at the end of the season.

The England striker has since stated that he wishes to wait until the summer to make a decision on whether to extend his stay on Tyneside or leave for nothing.

Despite the risk of losing a striker who cost the club £16million for free, Kinnear remains upbeat and understands Owen's reasoning.

"Michael himself is not too sure and that's why he sees taking his time as the best option," the Toon boss stated.

"Believe it or not, he was quite happy with the terms, it was just that this is the final decision he is going to make in his career.

"He was delighted, and thanked me very much, for the fact that we made him a three-year offer, which he wasn't expecting, but nevertheless, he just needs time to sort things out for himself.

"He said it is going to be the biggest decision of his career, he's 29 years of age and he felt that was the best thing for everybody concerned.

Focused

"But he is very focused on playing and doing his best for the club, that was what I was worried about."

The Magpies are also waiting on goalkeeper Steve Harper, midfielder Nicky Butt and striker Shola Ameobi to sign new deals of their own after they were all offered new contracts.

With the contract situation now out of the club's hands Kinnear has turned his attention to bringing in new faces in January.

"We have contacted about four people at the moment and spoken to them, and we are still waiting for a yea or a nay. It is still very much in the balance," he explained

Meanwhile the former Wimbledon boss has denied claims that winger Charles N'Zogbia wants to leave the club.

The Frenchman was quoted in a French newspaper declaring his unhappiness at Newcastle but Kinnear has played the situation down.

"The lad is quite embarrassed himself with what he is supposed to have said. As far as I am concerned, he has been spot on," he added.

"He is working extremely hard and got himself into the team by playing well, and when people are playing well, I make sure they stay in the team."