Kevin Keegan remains uncertain as to whether or not striker Michael Owen will remain at Newcastle beyond this season.

Owen is out of contract next summer, and although Newcastle's management are hopeful that the England international will commit further, Keegan admits there is still a chance that the 28-year-old may leave for pastures new.

"I don't think any player is untouchable, that's the first thing I have got to say," Keegan said.

"That's not to say in any way, shape or form that we want to see Michael Owen leave this club.

"Look around football and look what's happening, and I'm afraid a club and a manager not wanting a player to go sometimes is not enough.

"I think I can honestly say that if it comes to January, the chances are he won't be staying, but I don't think it will get there."

With the St James' hierarchy busy attempting to retain Owen's services, Keegan is trying to lure more players to the north east, with as many as five figures on his transfer radar.

According to sources close to the heart of the club. the Magpies, who sold James Milner to Aston Villa on Friday, are close to sealing deals with two players and are preparing offers for another three.

Chelsea's Florent Malouda is reportedly one of Keegan's targets, while defender Kamil Zayatte of Young Boys of Berne was in Newcastle on Friday and former Tottenham star Thimothee Atouba - now at Hamburg - is also supposedly close to a deal.

Not surprisingly, Keegan has refused to comment on the rumours, preferring instead to focus on the positives that abound prior to Monday's transfer deadline.

"The owner (Mike Ashley) is absolutely and totally committed to the club, there is no doubt about that, and it is a case of us trying to get the quality we want in," Keegan explained.

"The secret is to pick the right ones, it's to make sure if you are going to let a good player go, you replace him with another quality player who maybe can take you in a slightly different direction as a team."