Newcastle striker Michael Owen is adamant that he will put the Magpies' fight for Premier League survival ahead of any personal issues.Reports over the weekend suggested the 28-year-old England striker will be looking for an increase in his £103,000-a-week wage packet if he is to extend his stay on Tyneside.

However, Owen, whose current deal at St James' Park is due to run out at the end of next season, insists his future is not the overriding issue at the moment.

He told the Evening Chronicle: "There have been no talks on either side about a new deal and nothing has been mentioned about my contract.

"I don't want this interpreted as being a snub on either side, it is just that there are more important things to sort out at the moment than mine or any other player's new contract, and that is making sure we stay in the Premier League.

"But if or when the club want to talk to me, then I am prepared to talk.

"I am still only 28 and I feel I still have a lot of years of football left in me."

A club spokesman confirmed there has been no dialogue between the two parties over an new contract.

He said: "We have not started any negotiations with Michael over a new contract."

Owen has made 24 appearances for the club this season, including 19 starts, six more than he managed during his first two injury-wrecked campaigns in the north-east.

However, he has scored just five goals with the Magpies struggling, and manager Kevin Keegan will hope a man who once terrorised defences throughout the world will do so once again as the season reaches a dramatic climax.

Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Owen's former club Liverpool left Newcastle without a win in 12 league games and just three points above the relegation zone.

More Football News from TEAMtalk