Owen Deserves England Spot on Goal Difference, Says Kinnear

Joe Kinnear believes Fabio Capello erred in omitting Michael Owen from the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Belarus. "I only hope England do not lose either of those two games and people don't turn round and say leaving Michael Owen out was not the best thing to do," said Newcastle United's interim manager yesterday.

"I was surprised to hear Michael was not in the England squad. His goal record is light years ahead of some of those who are in. Even if he had been on the bench for the World Cup games, Michael would have been an asset because he can assess situations very well."

Kinnear is relishing working with Owen at Newcastle and said: "I would stake my life on Michael Owen. I have to say England's loss will be our gain."

Dismissing fears that such a "terrific blow" to the striker might impact negatively on his club, Kinnear said: "Michael is a very proud lad, he loves playing for his country and will obviously be disappointed at being left out.

"But he is a terrific professional and I know there will be no need for me or any of my coaching staff to lift his morale. His disappointment won't affect Newcastle."

Owen could soon be coached by Gerry Francis. The former Tottenham manager, who is currently the subject of a tug of war between Stoke City and Newcastle, has been offered two days' work a week on Tyneside and Kinnear is hoping to have an answer by the weekend.

The interim manager has been talking to Mike Ashley and said Newcastle's owner had told him "six" consortiums were interested in buying the club and "all bids have to be in by October 17".

Freddy Shepherd, Newcastle's former chairman, believes legitimate purchasers may prove elusive and said yesterday: "The last I heard, from someone in the City, was that the club has had 100 applications but 99 have been barking mad.

"Getting the right person in is going to be difficult. The credit crunch will be impacting on potential buyers as much as anyone. It doesn't matter who they are. The global markets are in turmoil."

Shepherd does not feel Ashley can anticipate a healthy return on his investment. "No one's going to give him a huge profit now," he said.

"You don't have to be a rocket scientist to work that one out. And whoever's going to buy the club will know they are going to have to buy players in January."

If not, Newcastle could be deep in relegation danger and, said Shepherd: "If Ashley doesn't sell by January, he's going to have to strengthen the team. That's why he will be aiming to sell before the transfer window opens."