Mourinho on Owen link

Inter coach Jose Mourinho has slammed reports he wants to sign Michael Owen, who he has suggested is no longer a world-class striker.

The Magpies star is out of contract next summer and will not decide his future until the end of the season despite being offered a new deal.

Mourinho has been linked with a possible swoop, with Brazilian Adriano going the other way, but the Portuguese has now drawn a line under the speculation - largely because he feels injuries have caught up with the 29-year-old former Liverpool and Real Madrid hot shot.

"I have never thought of him," Mourinho told the Gazzetta dello Sport. "In the last year, he has had major injuries and is no longer the Owen that we knew.

"I am determined to keep Adriano and I don't have any indication that he will no longer be with us. He is an extra weapon for me."