KEVIN Keegan says that Michael Owen will keep the black and white armband for the foreseeable future as long as he is happy to do so.

The 28-year-old hitman was handed the captaincy by Keegan before Saturday's goalles draw against Bolton.

It was a move which certainly killed off any suggestion of a rift between the manager and striker with Owen declaring on Sunday that he is desperate to be part of KK's Tyneside revolution.

And that would've been music to the ears of the Geordie Messiah after deciding to make the club's record signing his on-the-pitch leader.

"I looked at the players I had got, and I honestly believed Michael was the most experienced player on the pitch, along with Shay," explained the 56-year-old gaffer.

"I told Shay I would like Michael to lead it from the front, and he said 'Fine - I fully understand. I've got no problems with that'.

"I think we'll leave it with him at the moment, and if he comes to me and says he enjoys it, then we can look at it longer term."

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