Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is confident striker Michael Owen will sign a new contract which will keep him on Tyneside after next season.

Keegan has left the matter in the hands of chairman Chris Mort after making his feelings on the matter clear, but is hopeful of a positive outcome.

He said: "It's for Chris Mort to do that now. I have made it absolutely clear what I think should be done, and I have passed that on to him.

"He will handle that now so any questions about that will be between Chris Mort and Michael's advisors.

"But my feeling is, genuinely, that he wants to be here, he wants to help lead this club for the next few years.

"I don't want to tempt providence, but I think that is a deal that will be done as soon as they get together, really. I don't think it will take long."