Newcastle are hopeful of fighting off any approach from Manchester City for England striker Michael Owen.

The 27-year-old forward's future on Tyneside is uncertain after it emerged he has a get-out clause in his contract which would allow him leave for £9million.

Sven-Goran Eriksson is expected to take charge of Manchester City next week and has worked with Owen during his time as England manager.

Owen, who has just 14 appearances in two season because of injury, has yet to comment on his future and has two years of his contract still to run.

But manager Sam Allardyce has discussed his plans with the player, and while he admits there would be little he could do to prevent him leaving should another club trigger the clause, he will hope he has persuaded him to form a new-look strike force with summer signing Mark Viduka and perhaps Obafemi
Martins.

The 22-year-old Nigerian also has an escape clause - set at £13million - but appears to have committed himself to the club after a controversial conclusion to his first season on Tyneside.

Allardyce would happily go into the new season with Owen, Martins, Viduka, Shola Ameobi and youngster Andy Carroll giving him options in attack.

However, he knows he needs a back-up plan and has been linked with the likes of Alan Smith, Fredi Kanoute, Nicolas Anelka and El-Hadji Diouf, as well as former Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy.