Owen delays contract decision

LONDON: England striker Michael Owen will not make a decision about his future with Newcastle United until the end of the season, a statement released by his agent said on Monday.

While that means Owen, 29, will stay with Newcastle through the January transfer window, his long-term future remains uncertain when his current 103,000 pounds-a-week ($153,969) deal expires at season's end.

But the statement did say the former Liverpool and Real Madrid forward, who is now free to talk to other clubs from January 1, would consider a pay-cut if he decided to stay at St James' Park.