KEEGAN: OWEN WILL BE READY

Owen - should be fit for the start of the season.

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan insists Michael Owen will be fit for the start of the Premier League season.

The England striker has suffered with a calf problem and he missed the club's pre-season draw with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.

Keegan has now revealed he is also unlikely to feature in the final friendly of the summer against Valencia, but should then be ready for the Magpies' clash with Manchester United on August 17.

When asked whether Owen would play against Valencia, Keegan said: "I don't think so.

"Michael will want to play and maybe have half a match, but I've told him I won't risk him.

"He'll be fit for Manchester United as long as he doesn't have any setbacks.

"He's just started running again and done a lot of strength work. He's a very fit boy.

"We must get some football into him again now but we can do that internally without throwing him into a game five days after his comeback."

Owen himself has admitted he is frustrated by his pre-season.

"It is certainly not the ideal build-up," said Owen.

"In the successful seasons in my career I have always had a good pre-season, and when not I have struggled a bit."

Meanwhile, the England striker also revealed that he does not expect a quick resolution to his current contract talks.

Owen, who is out-of-contract next year, said his current talks will take time.

"We have been opening contract negotiations, there have been a couple of meetings so far but it will take time," he said.