Kinnear calls for Owen talks

Interim manager Joe Kinnear has reiterated his desire to keep hold of striker Michael Owen - if he is still in charge of Newcastle.

Owen came off the bench to score against 10-man Wigan on Saturday and help secure the Magpies a 2-2 draw at St James' Park but was then overlooked by coach Fabio Capello for England's friendly against Germany in Berlin on Wednesday.

Kinnear knows the importance of the former Real Madrid goal-getter, who is out of contract at the end of the season, and hopes to get him tied down on Tyneside, but accepts uncertainty about his own position and the ownership of the club could count against him.

He said: "We have got to sit down and talk to him about a new contract, if I am allowed to do that.

"It (the club) might be sold next week and someone else comes in and might see things differently.

"Of course I would like too keep all my best players here. It would be silly not to, wouldn't it?"