Owen - Will He Stay Or Go?

Last updated : 14 May 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor
Asked on BBC One's Inside Sport programme if striker Owen would still be at Newcastle for the start of the next campaign, Shearer said: "Yes."

Shearer: "He wants to get back playing and scoring goals for Newcastle.

"Michael is probably slightly frustrated because he has a contract with Newcastle and he feels if every time he has to come out and say something about speculation he would be in the newspapers every day trying to deny things.

"It's a different story if Manchester United are linked with Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov and Liverpool are linked with players - and you don't see those players coming out and saying: 'Yes, that's true' or, 'That's not true'.

"I don't think anyone felt as much guilt as he did when he went down injured that day playing for England".

Another man saying Michael Owen remains committed to Newcastle, is caretaker boss Nigel Pearson.

Pearson: "I do not think there is any question. He is a driven young man. He has had a difficult year and I know he is glad to be playing again.

"Outside of that, I do not think it is for me to comment any further. He is glad to be back playing football.

"He is single-minded and I have got no question that he is very focussed on what he is doing."