KEVIN KEEGAN will again make Michael Owen his captain for the new season – regardless of who the Newcastle United manager may bring through the St James’s Park door in the transfer window.
One of the first things Keegan did when he returned as manager in January was to throw the captain’s armband in Owen’s direction.
The 28-year-old striker was happy to catch it and, while there is still plenty for Keegan to mull over for the new season, he sees no reason to change his skipper.
I f Keegan is currently United’s prize asset and the best thing going for the club, then Owen – with his ability to poach goals – is not far behind.
Keegan has stressed just how important it is for United to get Owen, whose current deal runs out in less than 12 months, on a new contract.
But Keegan was happy to talk about Owen when I asked him today who would lead United out in the new season.
He said: “Yes, Michael is my captain. He has really impressed everybody here.
“He leads by example and that’s a good way to lead. Michael is not scared to give his opinion when he’s right and he’s not scared to say what he feels.
“He is a tremendous professional and trains properly every day.”
United fans finally really warmed to Owen last season – especially when he sacrificed his out-and-out striker’s role in Keegan’s new-look 4-3-3 formation – often clearing the ball back in his own penalty area.
But he still chipped in with 13 goals last season, despite having an operation for a hernia and an absence when he injured his knee playing for England in a friendly in Vienna.
However, he missed United’s first friendly at Hartlepool at the weekend and is unlikely to return at Doncaster Rovers this Saturday, although he hopes to be on the plane to Majorca a week today.
Habib Beye did not play at Hartlepool either, but he could be back for the visit to Yorkshire on Saturday.
Keegan added: “Habib Beye is a very fit player but he just felt a little twinge on Thursday, and we decided to pull him out.”
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