With his form under greater scrutiny than ever before, Michael Owen is adamant that he remains undiminished as a player, even while he contemplates the first relegation battle of his sparkling career. The Newcastle United striker has scored only six goals for his club during a troubled season and his international place is now reported to be in jeopardy.

Owen was an unused substitute during Fabio Capello’s first match as England manager, but the 28-year-old, whose 88 caps have brought him 40 goals, is more apprehensive about the precarious situation at St James’ Park. “The new manager has only had one game in charge and I will see how that develops but my immediate concern is Newcastle,” he told the BBC last night.

In immediate terms, that equates to a miserable league position three points off the bottom three and a sequence of 12 league matches without a victory. Owen’s role has been studied closely. “Certain players and certain clubs attract criticism,” he said. “Newcastle are one of those. My skin is thick. Players don’t change overnight. I’m still the same player I was last year, I’m the same player I was five years ago.”

Owen, who said he had “not spoken to anyone at the club” about his contract, which has one more season still to run, admitted to enduring a “difficult patch,” and that a dismal campaign was “not what any of us expected,” on Tyneside, but Kevin Keegan’s appointment has prompted enthusiasm within the dressing-room.

“We know that something needs to spark us off and then we will be on a crest of wave,” he said. “If we can stay in this league and add a few players in the summer, then Newcastle is a city that can take off.

“There’s no city that can buzz like Newcastle and if that happens then who knows about winning silverware. We have got every reason to believe. It’s a fantastic place to play football. But we have to get out of this position first and then we can start dreaming.”

Reality involves forthcoming games against Birmingham City and Fulham. “Everybody is slightly concerned, and I say slightly, because you have to be, with the run of form they’re in,” Alan Shearer, the club’s former captain, said. “Kevin is not stupid enough not to know they have to improve and do so quickly otherwise they’re going to be relegated.”