Michael Owen admits his contract talks at Newcastle have stalled over boardroom "turmoil".

"We had a few meetings earlier on in the season and things were going fine," striker Owen, 28, told BBC Sport.

"Then the manager left as did someone on the board who we were negotiating with - talks haven't picked up since."

Owen's current deal ends next summer and he could walk away from the club for free at the end of the season.

"Before it's gets twisted again, that's not me snubbing Newcastle," added the England striker, who scored twice for the Magpies in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Stoke City.

"They've got bigger things to fry than sorting out my contract, or the contracts of Steven Harper, Shola Amoebi, Mark Viduka and Nicky Butt - there are a lot of people out of contract.

"They haven't got round to talking with the players. There has been a lot of turmoil at the club and I suppose they have been shuffled to the back of the queue."