MICHAEL OWEN sought to end speculation yesterday by emphasising his commitment to Newcastle United and saying that he has no intention of walking away from the club in the summer.

The England striker, who will make his first appearance against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s today after four months out with a broken foot, has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave St James’ Park at the end of the season should an offer of £12 million from another club be forthcoming, but Owen insists he is going nowhere, regardless of whether or not Newcastle qualify for the Uefa Cup.

“I joined Newcastle without the club being in Europe,” he said. “I am committed to the cause. It is hard to show that commitment when you are not playing every week. I’ve said it [my future)]will be with Newcastle a million times. I’ve never said anything to the contrary.

“I have had a great first season apart from getting injured. I love living here, my child is in school here and I don’t know where people get these rumours from.”

Glenn Roeder, the Newcastle caretaker manager, was still debating last night whether to start with Owen or put him on the substitutes’ bench against Birmingham, but the player dispelled any fears that he might not be match-fit in time for the World Cup finals in June.

“I would be disappointed if it took six days to regain my fitness and sharpness, let alone six weeks,” he said. “I’m very keen to get back into the thick of the action. The World Cup doesn’t concern me. What concerns me is playing for Newcastle and making sure everything is OK as we push for Europe.”

Unfortunately for Newcastle, sixth position may not be good enough to qualify for the Uefa Cup. Uefa, the governing body in Europe, confirmed that only three places would be available for English clubs, meaning Newcastle’s fate could be determined by how Middlesbrough fare in the Uefa Cup final.

If the Teesside club beat Seville, they will be awarded the third Uefa Cup place for next season, with West Ham United, the FA Cup finalists, already having claimed the first.

Roeder will start trying to gain his Uefa Pro Licence on June 19. Freddy Shepherd, the Newcastle chairman, is said to have struck a deal with the FA Premier League that will allow Roeder to take charge of Newcastle next season without the required coaching qualification, although he is likely to face opposition from Uefa.