Kinnear Defends Owen!

"Believe it or not, he was quite happy with the terms, it was just that this is the final decision he is going to make in his career.

"He was delighted - and thanked me very much - for the fact that we made him a three-year offer, which he wasn't expecting, but nevertheless, he just needs time to sort things out for himself.

"I don't mind that, I am fine. He is a great professional and - I keep repeating myself - his goalscoring record stands up there to be counted.

"As long as he continues scoring goals, I will be delighted.

"It's very good news. I am glad we have managed to find out the position once and for all, because it has been a bit worrying, to be honest.

"The last thing I wanted to do was to lose him. But I respect the decision he has made and now we just get on with it.

"I knew prior and I kept it to myself, but I was still trying my hardest to shift it our way a little bit.

"But he said it is going to be the biggest decision of his career - he's 29 years of age - and he felt that was the best thing for everybody concerned.

"But he is very focused on playing and doing his very best for the club, that was what I was worried about."