Newly-appointed Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce said yesterday that keeping England striker Michael Owen at the club would be one of his top priorities.

The 52-year-old Allardyce identified Owen as a vital part of his plans when he was unveiled as the club's fourth manager in three years at St James' Park.

Owen, 27, has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Liverpool but Allardyce wants him and Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins to stay together at Newcastle.

Former Bolton Wanderers boss Allardyce, who spoke to the players yesterday, told reporters: "Michael was away in Ireland and sent his apologies but it wasn't hugely important all the players came back.

"But I will speak to Michael on the phone. The speculation around Michael will be resolved once we get to speak to him. You wouldn't want to lose your leading goalscorers and there are two fantastic goalscorers we want to keep at the club."

Owen, who joined in August, 2005 from Real Madrid, sat out virtually the whole of the season after suffering a serious knee injury while playing for England at the World Cup finals. He played in the last three league games of the season, although he was carried off suffering from concussion during the final day clash against Watford on Sunday.

Last week, Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd called on the former Liverpool striker to show loyalty to the club who signed him for £16 million.

Allardyce once turned down Newcastle's advances when he was managing Bolton but he is now relishing the chance to revive the club's fortunes. They have not won a major domestic trophy since the FA Cup in 1955.

"I'm ambitious, I know this club is ambitious and I hope I can turn it around - get a trophy, get the club into Europe in the next few years," he said.