Michael Owen feels he has let Newcastle down after suffering a knee injury which will keep him out of action for almost the entire year of 2007.
The 26-year-old ruptured his anterior crucial ligament just while on duty for England in the World Cup and he knows he has not given Toon fans value for money.
Owen: "I can control my emotions and I can honestly say that when I was flat on my back with ice-packs around my knee, it wasn't self-pity I was feeling but guilt.
"I was sending text messages apologising to all sorts of people for letting them down.
"I feel really guilty when I think of the people at Newcastle United. I think of the chairman Freddy Shepherd, who has invested all that money (Owen cost £17million from Real Madrid) and Glenn Roeder, the manager, who has kept in touch through the tournament and been very supportive. And those great fans who have only seen me for 11 matches."