Newcastle are keeping their fingers crossed that Michael Owen will stay at St James' Park.

Owen has a release clause in his contract which could see him leave the Magpies if a club offer £9million for the England man.

The 27-year-old has been linked with a move to a number of Premier League clubs and deputy chairman Chris Mort admits he can offer no guarantees the former Liverpool and Real Madrid ace will stay on Tyneside.

"Sam and I would love him to stay but no one is going to be able to give you a 100 per cent answer on any player in the Premiership," Mort told The Sun.

"I haven't sought any assurances from Michael. But if we were going to lose him it would be a source of concern."