Owen happy to remain at Newcastle

The 27-year-old frontman heads into tomorrow's Barclays Premier League clash with Portsmouth at St James' Park at the end of another eventful week in his career on Tyneside.

Owen was again forced to insist he is happy at Newcastle amid continuing chatter over his contractual situation - he is currently in the third year of his four-year deal - and Manchester City's apparent interest in him.

However, the £17million man's mind was elsewhere on Wednesday when his wife Louise gave birth to the couple's third child, Emily, in Chester.

A goal against Pompey would be the perfect gift for his new daughter, but Owen, who has three to his name for his club so far this season, also has more selfish reasons for wanting to beat England colleague David James.

He joked: "Daddy needs a goal more than she does.

"It would definitely be nice to score a goal and celebrate on Saturday night with the three points."

Owen's last goal for the club came in the 3-2 victory over Everton on October 7, the second of three successive league wins on Tyneside.

However, last weekend's dismal 2-1 defeat at Reading has heaped added pressure on the Magpies' unbeaten home record, which will be put to its sternest test yet as Harry Redknapp's men make the long trip north.

Pompey tasted defeat for the first time since September 2 when they lost 2-1 at home to Blackburn in the Carling Cup fourth round on Wednesday evening, ending a run of seven games which included successive league away wins at Rovers, Fulham and Wigan.

Owen said: "Winning your home games is very important. If you win all your home games, you're virtually in the UEFA Cup before you even start talking about away points.

"We have started well at home, but obviously the away form needs working on.

"It's still early days, but we have done well at St James' Park so far."

Owen is again likely to be partnered by Nigeria international Obafemi Martins with Mark Viduka still out with a calf injury, and the former Liverpool and Real Madrid marksman will be happy to get out on to the pitch and try to let his football do the talking.

Speculation has been rife that he could be on his way out of Newcastle since it emerged during the summer that he had an escape clause, which has now been removed, in his contract.

However, he is adamant that the time has not yet arrived to talk about his future plans.

He said: "I am still here and I am looking forward to tomorrow's game and the rest of the season.

"Newcastle have not approached me and I have not approached them, but I am happy as can be.

"There is no need for the boat to be rocked. I have still got a long time left - probably more than most players."

Martins for one is delighted with the chance to play alongside Owen.

He said: "Every striker in the world wants to play with Michael.

"I am happy that I am playing with him - and I hope it continues.

"But I cannot take it for granted because we have so many other good strikers here."

Martins' could find himself in opposition to compatriot Kanu, who was on target for Pompey in their midweek defeat, tomorrow, and that will provide him with further motivation.

He said: "Of course, Kanu is a huge name in their side to me. He is the captain of Nigeria and he is a god in Nigeria.

"I believe this will be one of our toughest games of the season."