Glenn Roeder yesterday poured scorn on stories suggesting that Michael Owen is poised to leave Newcastle United for Manchester United or Arsenal this summer.
"It's all news to me," said Newcastle's manager. "But I certainly haven't waited all these months to write Michael Owen's name on my team-sheet to even contemplate selling him. Michael is a very big part of my plans for next season and I know he's been as frustrated as everyone else and can't wait to start playing for Newcastle again. Personally I can't wait to see him scoring goals for us that no one else can."