Newcastle concern as Capello checks Owen

(CNN) -- Michael Owen heard that he could still feature in England's World Cup plans on the day Newcastle stepped up their bid to keep the striker at the Premier League club.

Owen is out of contract at the end of the campaign and his representatives are reportedly now in possession of terms of the deal that Newcastle hope will persuade him to remain at the club.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker underlined his importance to Newcastle -- they paid £17million for his services three-and-a-half years ago -- when he celebrated his 29th birthday with a ninth goal of the season in the vital vital 3-0 win at Portsmouth

Owen later refused to be drawn on his future amid speculation that a series of clubs will attempt to lure him away from Tyneside during next month's transfer window.

Manager Joe Kinnear will sit down with Owen and try to convince him to stay at St James' Park at least until next summer and use Newcastle as the showcase for his England claims.

Injury-hit Owen has repeatedly been overlooked by new England coach Fabio Capello, but the Italian gave the marksman some encouragement on Monday.

When asked about Owen's weekend form, Capello said: "I don't know, I just arrived this morning and read the newspaper. I know he played very well and scored a goal. I always said the door of the national team is open for all the players.

"I will check him in January and after that I will decide if he is ready, if he is OK for the next squad."

Owen is England's fourth-highest goalscorer of all time but Capello says he must be convinced of his fitness before selecting him again.

"It is important, I have to choose depending on my idea of the team. The most important thing is that he will be fit. The last three times he was not fit."

Capello is coming up to the first anniversary in the job with England firmly on course for a place in the 2010 finals in South Africa.

He has lifted morale following the failure of previous manager Steve McClaren to qualify for Euro 2008.

Capello added: "The spirit of the squad, this is most important. Sometimes you can win one game because one player scores, but without the spirit it is not possible."