The 27-year-old frontman is nearing a return to full training with a whole nation keenly anticipating his re-launch in the wake of England's intensely difficult week.

But with chairman Freddy Shepherd and manager Glenn Roeder insisting his club will come first, it is the prospect of pulling on a black and white shirt again which is at the forefront of the £17million striker's mind.

Owen has made only 11 appearances for the Magpies in his 20 months on Tyneside and scored seven goals in the process, and he is desperate to provide Newcastle with a return on their investment.

He said: "Unfortunately, it has been the case that I have not played as many games as I would have liked because of injury.

"But when I have played, I have scored quite a few goals and been happy with the contribution I have made.

"I have scored a few goals at St James' Park for other teams, but hopefully when the knee sorts itself out, I will be banging them in again.

"There are still plenty of games left and we made a charge up the table last year, and if we can do that this season, we will have an outside chance of Europe."

Newcastle take on Manchester City tomorrow looking to revive a campaign which received a heavy blow when they were dumped out of the UEFA Cup in Alkmaar earlier this month.

Owen will again be watching from the stands as Roeder's players attempt to spark another late charge, and his mind will inevitably return to September 24, 2005, the day he scored his first - and to date, only - Magpies goal at St James' against the same opposition.

He said: "It was a special feeling, and your first goal in front of your new fans is something you never forget.

"I remember it was a relief when the full-time whistle went and I had scored the only goal of the game."

Owen's absence, coupled with those of several other senior players throughout an injury-plagued campaign, is something Roeder could do little about.

However, in the wake of his side's tame European surrender and a dismal 2-0 defeat at Charlton three days later, he has been nothing if not frank about the club and his plans for it.

He said: "I am a pretty serious person, generally speaking, and this job at Newcastle United is one of the biggest jobs in football.

"We are in a big cycle of not being particularly successful, but nothing lasts forever.

"Things have to change and it is my wish and my desire and ambition to make changes here.

"You have to admit down the years, there have been one or two problems that have never really ever been addressed.

"I personally think it is now time to look at those recurring problems and set in motion us going forward in a manner that eventually leads us to being successful."

Roeder is yet to sit down with Shepherd to discuss his transfer targets for the summer but, although he is not naming names, there is little doubt as to the focus of his attention.

He said: "Who I am looking at and where I am going to look at these players, that is not up for discussion, that has got to be kept as secret as possible.

"But I do not think you have to be that clever to realise Newcastle down the years have never really put a defence together that has allowed them to build from that area of the pitch and be strong enough to go and be successful."

In the meantime, the club's capacity to under-achieve will be addressed during the remaining weeks of the season as the manager prepares to re-shape his squad.

Roeder said: "Whether they have not got contracts or whether they have, it is eight games for everyone to prove to me and this football club that they should be here next year in what we expect to be a successful season.

"Contract or no contract, there are eight very important games for all the players."