[kennethlindheim]

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce says striker Michael Owen will need to prove his long-term fitness before he is offered a new contract by the club.
Owen has played just a handful of games since joining the Magpies from Real Madrid in 2005 because of injury.

The 27-year-old has less than two years left on his current deal, but Allardyce is in no hurry to tie him down.

"I'd like to see him play for the next 20 games on the trot or more and then enter into a new contract," he said.

"The most important thing is that he's available for selection every week and we can control it."

"Whether that means we lose him at the end of the day or not is non-negotiable because if it happens it happens but we want to see him fit, playing and scoring on a regular basis.

"When Michael is fit and scoring every week all managers would want him in their side," said Allardyce, whose comments were reported in several newspapers.

Owen has been sidelined with knee, foot and groin injuries since agreeing a £17m move to Newcastle in August 2005.

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Newcastle United | Owen is told to wait for new deal