Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce admits the prospect of working with Michael Owen was a key reason for him accepting the Magpies job.

"Michael was one of the reasons I came here," he said. "When you decide to come to a football club you look at the players they have got and ask yourself what chance you have of being successful.

"When you look at players like Michael Owen, it makes you want to take the job. I'm here to be more successful than I was at Bolton and to have players like Michael here delights me."