Magpies still in the chase for Owen

Newcastle have not given up hope of landing Real Madrid striker Michael Owen but realise they cannot compete with Manchester United and Liverpool for his signature.

It is understood the 25-year-old has indicated he could be willing to make a move to St James’ Park if neither the Red Devils or his former employers make a move for him.

While no-one on Tyneside is getting carried away by the news, it at glimmer of hope as Graeme Souness’ search for a striker continues.

Their interest in Owen is long-standing, and although they always knew the chances of landing him were slim there is greater optimism than there was at the start of the week when chairman Freddy Shepherd cancelled a planned trip to Madrid to step up the pursuit.

The encouraging development came a day after the Magpies confirmed they had pulled out of their attempt to sign Fenerbahce’s Nicolas Anelka at the Turkish club’s request, although there have been suggestions since that the Frenchman could yet agitate for a move himself.

But what is not in any doubt is that Newcastle have to move fast if they are to avoid leaving Alan Shearer, who celebrates his 35th birthday on Saturday 24 hours before his side’s opening Barclays Premiership fixture at Arsenal, fighting alone.

With Shola Ameobi suspended for the first two games of the season and Craig Bellamy and Patrick Kluivert having been allowed to leave St James’, Michael Chopra was the only other available specialist striker until he damaged his knee ligaments on reserve team duty last night.

The 21-year-old was today undergoing a scan on the injury, but seems certain to be sidelined for at least a month. The injury came just weeks after scoring his first senior goal for the club against Dubnica in the Intertoto Cup as he attempts to persuade manager Graeme Souness that he is worth a long-term contract when his current one-year deal expires at the end of the season.

“I was looking to make a block tackle and win the ball when I felt my knee go,” Chopra told the club’s official website, www.nufc.co.uk.

“At first when our physio Kevin Bell was signalling to the bench for me to come off, my immediate reaction was that I could keep on playing. But when I got to the changing room, the doctor said it was the medial ligaments.

“That could mean being out for between four and six weeks, but I will know more once I have had the scan. Hopefully, fingers crossed, it will not be long-term.

“It is really disappointing, especially having worked so hard over the summer to get myself in a position to challenge for a place at the weekend, and with Shola suspended and Alan being looked at.

“I have scored a few goals over the summer and that gave me a real lift. I wanted to kick on from there and was hoping that by doing well for the reserves, it might see me involved against Arsenal.

“I was thinking I may get a place on the bench on Sunday, but that’s not to be now. All I can do is just work hard and get fit, but also make sure the knee is right before I come back because I do not want it to happen again.

“This is the worst injury I have ever had, but the timing of it makes it even harder. After having hopes of being involved with the first team, it feels like I have taken a big step back.”

Meanwhile, there was a fresh development in Newcastle’s summer transfer saga today when it emerged that Italian defender Francesco Coco’s proposed loan move, which fell through yesterday, could be resurrected with Inter Milan reportedly prepared to pay his wages.