NEWCASTLE owner Mike Ashley admits he can offer no guarantees Michael Owen will stay at St James’ Park — despite all his millions.

The England striker has a release clause in his contract which would see him leave if a top club offers £9million.

Boss Sam Allardyce is hopeful Owen will stay and new supremo Ashley’s men are also keeping their fingers crossed.

But deputy chairman Chris Mort said: “Sam and I would love him to stay but no one is going to be able to give you a 100 per cent answer on any player in the Premiership.

“I haven’t sought any assurances from Michael. But if we were going to lose him it would be a source of concern.”

The Toon’s record £17m buy was on the plane which left yesterday for a pre-season training camp in the Austrian town of Stegersbach.
And Allardyce believes Owen, 27, has emerged from his injury nightmare as both a better player and a better person.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid ace spent 10 gruelling months working his way back after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament during last summer’s World Cup.

He returned for the last three games of last season and resumed his international career.

And Allardyce said: “Michael is relishing getting started next season.

“He has come through that difficult time and he has come through it not just a stronger player, but also a better person.”