Owen committed to Magpies

Michael Owen has pledged his future to Newcastle, rubbishing rumours he has an "agenda" against the club.

The England striker has been linked with the St James' Park exit almost from the moment he joined the Magpies two years ago.

He admitted he has a release clause in his contract, believed to be worth £11million, but insists he has no intention of exercising it.

The former Liverpool favourite told the News of the World: "I've only been at Newcastle two years and the speculation's been unbelievable. At the end of every season, people were asking 'Is Michael Owen going to stay or not?'

"I live up there and and my kids have been to school up there for two years. There is this perception that I divide my life between living in the north west and Newcastle.

"Well, I'm up there Monday through until Saturday. If we get a Sunday off, I'll sometimes fly out after the game and spend the day with my parents and family.

"Then I'll fly back up on Monday and spend the rest of the week there. Even my team-mates say 'Are you up here today?' and I say 'Yes, like I am every day'.

"Since I've been at Newcastle, people have been thinking I'll leave. A lot think there's an agenda but there's not.

"There was a release clause in my contract that no one was supposed to be privy to but if people go and mention that I can't help it."