Newcastle are not expecting a January bid from Manchester City for £17million striker Michael Owen.

Boss Sam Allardyce has spent much of the last few weeks considering alternatives should City counterpart Sven-Goran Eriksson follow up his interest in the 27-year-old England international when the transfer window opens.

However, it is understood he has been in touch with the Swede to check on his intentions, and has been told Owen's injury problems have put the north-west club off making any move.