27 year old Newcastle United striker Michael Owen has declared he is committed to his current club following a long spell of niggling injuries. Owen was pressurized earlier in the summer by former chairman Freddy Shepherd but waited until the start of the new English Premier League season to declare his intentions. Owen was the source of intense media speculation over the summer period involving a move away from the North East. During this time Shepherd demanded that the player repay his debt to the club and pledge his allegiance to their fans after almost a full season sidelined through knee injury.

Freddy Shepherd has now been replaced by Chris Mort following the takeover of the North East club by billionaire Mike Ashley. With summer signings of Mark Viduka and Alan Smith coupled with the current form of Martins, Owen has a fight on his hands to get a regular placing in the first team. Owen joined Newcastle United back in 2005 in a club record £17 million deal from Spanish La Liga side Real Madrid.