Kinnear believes in Owen

Joe Kinnear is backing Newcastle skipper Michael Owen to hit the goals trail once again after leaping to his defence.

The 28-year-old found himself in the firing line at the weekend after failing to muster a single shot on goal in Saturday’s 0-0 derby draw at Middlesbrough.

However, amid a growing debate over the £17m man’s form following his return from a groin injury, Kinnear has no doubts about his ability of his importance to the team.

The manager said: “Yes, Michael had a quiet game by his high standards, but the coaching staff on the bench could see how hard he was working and we felt that he did a lot of unselfish running for the team.

“That was backed up when we had a look at the video after the game and studied each individual performance and saw what Owen had done.

“Our big regret at Middlesbrough on Saturday was that none of the chances we created came Michael’s way, but that was not necessarily his fault.

“He kept running into goal scoring positions, but he just never got the ball, and that is something we have to work on.”

If Kinnear and his staff will work on the training pitch to address that and other situations – the Magpies have not scored in their last two games at Chelsea and Boro, but have not conceded either – the 61-year-old will hope progress is being made off it too.

He is due to meet managing director Derek Llambias later this week for the first time since his interim tag was removed, and will look to make progress on strengthening his squad during the January transfer window.

Although Kinnear insists he does not have to sell before he can buy, a resolution of Owen’s future will have a major say in what he is able to do.

The former Real Madrid frontman could leave on a Bosman free transfer next summer, and with several clubs having been linked with winter moves for him - Rafael Benitez has dismissed speculation that first club Liverpool is a possible destination – some believe Newcastle could cash in on him next month.

That is something his current boss is keen to avoid, having made it clear that Owen’s retention beyond the terms of his existing contract – something which proved a stumbling block for predecessor Kevin Keegan – will be one of his main priorities.

Nicky Butt, Steve Harper and Shola Ameobi are among those players whose deals also expire in the summer, although their situations appear to be less pressing.

Kinnear is adamant he does not want to lose any of his current first-team squad during the forthcoming transfer window, and revealed after his appointment until the end of the season on Friday that he had been promised funds to strengthen, and that he, and not executive director (football) Dennis Wise, will have the final say on the club’s targets.

But it remains to be seen just how far owner Mike Ashley, who has been forced to admit defeat in his efforts to push through a quick sale of the club he bought in May last year, is prepared to back him.

Ashley will – or at least should – be guided by a parlous Barclays Premier League situation which sees the Magpies perched precariously just above the relegation zone with 15 points from as many games and in desperate need of a major push.

They take on promoted Stoke on Saturday knowing a first league victory in five attempts is a must if they are to climb away from trouble.

Meanwhile, midfielder Joey Barton has been told he can expect to return from his knee ligament injury in the middle of January, with Alan Smith – who has been out since pre-season – a couple of weeks behind him.