Newcastle boss Kinnear fights to keep Owen

(CNN) -- Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear admits that the troubled Premier League side have a battle on their hands to hold on to prize asset Michael Owen.

Kinnear is to sit down with the England international striker on Tuesday to discuss a new deal, with Owen's existing contract expiring at the end of the season.

It leaves Owen free to talk with other clubs next month and with no shortage of potential suitors.

He scored twice in Newcastle's disappointing 2-2 home draw with Stoke last Saturday which leaves them teetering above the relegation zone, despite improved form under Kinnear.

Newcastle are also up for sale after club owner Mike Ashley fell out with supporters following the controversial departure of Kinnear's predecessor Kevin Keegan in September.

Kinnear gave a downbeat assessment when asked on Friday if the club could retain the services of Owen, who joined from Real Madrid in August 2005 during Graeme Souness' reign.

"I'm not confident, to be honest," he said.

"I'm pretty confident about everybody else, but Michael is a different kettle of fish.

"He is looking at his options, I assume, but I won't go into those details until Tuesday."

Kinnear said he was also in talks with first team squad members Nicky Butt, Steve Harper and Shola Ameobi and is expected to discuss an option on Owen's strike partner Mark Viduka over his contract.

Owen, 28, has played just 50 games for Newcastle after suffering a series of injuries, the most notable at the 2006 World Cup where he ruptured a knee ligament.

But he has scored 28 goals for the Magpies and is hoping to impress new England manager Fabio Capello after being left out of recent international squads.

Meanwhile, Kinnear confirmed he is to fight an FA charge of using abusive and insulting words towards a match official after being sent off for disputing the free kick which led to Stoke's late equalizer on Saturday.