Out of Toon? ... Owen could
go
GAVIN PEAC.OCK fears Michael Owen is on borrowed time at
Newcastle unless he shows his passion for the
club.
Owen, 28, blasted Kevin Keegan in his autobiography and claimed he
was a scapegoat for the new Toon manager's dismal reign in charge
of England.
Keegan is expected to wipe the slate clean as he bids to revitalise
the club during his second spell at St James' Park.
But Peac.ock believes he will not find it easy to forgive and
forget when it comes to Owen.
The BBC pundit, who played under Keegan at Newcastle, said:
"Kevin's not to be trifled with and I don't think he'll
forget.
"Michael was within his rights to say what he did in his book,
although he could have kept the comments to himself instead of
making them public knowledge.
Pundit... Gavin
Peac.ock
"They may well have an adult conversation and say 'that was then,
this is now' and move on.
"But Kevin will have to look at Michael and see if he feels the
place and really wants to be part of Newcastle.
"If he gets any inkling that Michael's heart is not in it, he'll
go."
Out-of-favour Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe is one of a number of
players on Keegan's wanted list.
And Peacock feels he would be the perfect man to fire the Magpies
up the table.
He added: "When he's fit, there is not a better goalscorer than
Michael Owen.
"But Defoe is like an Andy Cole type of player. He's a natural
finisher and he needs to be playing.
"When he plays regularly he scores goals, end of story.
"Knowing Kevin, if he's got money to spend and sees a player he
wants, he'll go for it.
"I don't think he'll sit back and stick with what he's got.
"If he sees a player who can come in and have an impact, he'll buy
him."
