Kinnear opted to use the England striker only as a substitute in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Wigan, despite the 28-year-old's assertion in his programme notes that he has been fit after a groin injury for a couple of weeks.

However, Owen also described Kinnear's decision to re-introduce him gradually as "fine", and the 61-year-old, who has repeatedly backed predecessor Kevin Keegan's assertion that the £17million man's contractual situation should be treated as a priority, was quick to respond.

He said: "People are trying to put a wedge between us for whatever reason.

"Obviously, the fact is that Michael's concerned about his future and his contract. If I'm appointed, I will do something about it.

"And for what it's worth, I have said from day one that in my opinion, he should be in the England squad. That's my honest opinion.

"I feel for him because of the situation he finds himself in both for club and country, but he answered all that in the best possible way by coming off the bench and scoring for us on Saturday."

Owen entered the fray 68 minutes into Saturday's game with his side trailing 1-0 to 10-man Wigan and looking unlikely to turn the game around.

He passed up a glorious opportunity within two minutes of his arrival, but made no mistake 10 minutes from time to claim his sixth goal in 11 appearances for the club this season.

Kinnear said: "I could have taken the easy option of playing him earlier when he was struggling for fitness, but had he broken down, what position would I have been in then?

"I could have taken the cheating option, if you like, given I'm only here for eight games, and put him in on my very first game even though he hadn't trained for a week.

"What would everyone had said if he'd broken down?"

The futures of both Kinnear and Owen could become clearer later this week with the interim boss having indicated last month that an announcement on owner Mike Ashley's efforts to sell the club might come in the wake of Saturday's daunting trip to Chelsea.

What that may be remains to be seen - two American consortia have been credited with a serious interest in buying the Magpies, although Keith Harris, chairman of investment bank Seymour Pierce which is handling the sale, has hinted that the prevailing economic conditions are proving a complicating factor.

But with Owen, as well as Nicky Butt and Steve Harper, able to talk to prospective new employers in January as they enter the final few months of their current deals and the winter transfer window fast approaching, Ashley will have to decide whether to stick or twist.

There is little doubt the current squad needs strengthening significantly with Newcastle perched precariously above the drop zone on goal difference, and that was the case before it emerged today that midfielder Joey Barton is unlikely to play again this year.

The 26-year-old suffered a slight tear to the medial ligament in his right knee in a challenge with Lee Cattermole on Saturday, and could be sidelined for eight weeks.

Barton, who underwent scans yesterday, said: "I am not blaming Lee Cattermole in any way for this injury. It was a 50-50 ball and we both went for it, and these things happen.

"Obviously, it's disappointing and frustrating, and my sole intention is to knuckle down and bounce back and get fit again to help the Newcastle United cause."

Barton has made only five appearances this season after being jailed for assault and affray, and serving a six-match ban imposed after a training ground incident involving former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.