A string of fitness problems have meant the 27-year-old has managed just 13 starts for the Tyneside club since a $37million move from Real Madrid.

Most agonisingly, a serious knee injury sustained on England duty at last summer's World Cup wrote off all but three matches in 2006-07.

When unsubstantiated reports emerged recently that Owen might be willing to exercise a minimum-fee release clause in his contract to leave United for one of the 'big four', it was suggested that he owed it to the north-east club to stay put.

But Owen insists he has been blameless for his so-far frustrating time at St James' Park and is simply focused on helping a new-look Newcastle improve on the misery of recent seasons.

"It's been a disappointing time, but through no fault of mine, or the chairman, the manager or anyone else - it just happens in football," he said.

"I don't go to sleep feeling guilty, it's just football.

"I want to play well this year, score goals and make people happy because that's what you play football for.

"If I'm fit and healthy then I think everyone knows I will score goals and have a good season.

"I'm feeling sharp and strong at the minute. I've been on the go for quite a while and every part of me is ready to start a Premier League game tomorrow if need be.

"I'm confident it's going to be a good season, Newcastle are going to have a good year and that will go hand in hand with me performing well."

Certainly, with Owen and Shola Ameobi back to fitness, Mark Viduka signed up and Obafemi Martins set to stay at St James', goals should not be a problem for the Magpies this term.

An the England striker believes that with the addition of a defender or two United can become a genuine Premier League force again.

"The manager is still looking to strengthen the squad, maybe in a defensive position," he added.

"We've certainly got some good strikers - Oba Martins scored a few goals last year, Mark Viduka's a fantastic buy, Shola Ameobi's coming back and is as hungry as ever and we've got a young lad Andy Carroll who did well when he came in last year.

"We have certainly got goals in our midfield. I wouldn't like to have Sam's problem, he's got plenty of top-class players to choose from in midfield.

"If we can add a defender or two to the squad we will be covered in virtually every position and will have a strong team."