Michael Owen today told Newcastle United: "I'm here as long as you want me." The Newcastle United star could still miss the entire campaign this season as he recovers from the horror knee injury sustained at the World Cup in the summer.

Last term United fans' biggest fear was that Owen may quit the club in search of Champions League football if he shone in Germany, having made a comeback from a broken foot. Instead, Owen ruptured knee ligaments and has twice travelled over the Atlantic for treatment by US surgeon Dr Richard Steadman in Colorado. But speaking at Wallsend Boys Club's annual dinner in Newcastle, Owen said: "I've had five weeks since my final operation and that means I might be back in six or seven months if everything goes fine.


"I could play again this season which would be nice. "In terms of how long I stay at Newcastle, I'm here as long as everybody wants me. "I had four years on my contract when I signed last year, so I would say at least that length of time and then you'd have to ask the chairman for the rest."


Despite his injury, the words of Owen will be a boost to United supporters who are desperate to see him back in a black-and-white shirt after watching the England man make just 10 starts since arriving from Real Madrid for a club record £17m. Owen has bagged seven goals in that time, and after spending 14 months in Newcastle the striker admits he has adjusted well to life on Tyneside after his stint with Real Madrid.


He added: "I do really enjoy Newcastle as a place. I have got two children here and they go to school here and they love it. "Any parent knows if your children are happy, then you are happy. "That is one of the main things. "In terms of myself, I get out a little bit around Newcastle with a few of the lads occasionally. "It is a lovely place and a lovely area and I have settled in really well. "I am enjoying it here, and even though I have only played 10 or so games, when I have played it has been good. I have scored seven and we picked up a lot of points along the way."


However, despite Owen's form when fit, the 80-times capped England ace has suffered a horrendous time with injuries, leaving the Cheshire-born star somewhat disgruntled. Owen first shattered his foot, breaking his metatarsal against Tottenham on the final day of 2005 after a collision with keeper Paul Robinson, and after an absence of five months, he then fell awkwardly in England's game against Sweden in the World Cup to sideline him again for the foreseeable future. He continued: "I hadn't had an operation in my life before I came to Newcastle and then I end up having four in a year. "It is unbelievable, but this is definitely the last. "I have never been injured for this length of time so hopefully this is only a blip and I'll be back."