Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce wants Michael Owen to play out his career at St James' Park.

He told The Journal: "A player of that calibre will decide what he wants if he stays fit," he said. "Unless he likes where he is and is enjoying himself he won't enter negotiations. After all the hard work already done under the new chairman and owners, we don't want to lose our best players.

"If Michael stays fit, of course I would want him to stay for the rest of his career. In full flow he is a fearsome prospect for any defence in world football.

"I have to try to help him steer clear of niggly injuries. If we can he is going to be enjoying his football even more.

"Having just got back from injury in such a short period of time, not really being 100% fit, he has really done well. The boost in confidence over the last four games has escalated his fitness rapidly."