Keegan ends rift with Owen, named him captain
Keegan insisted that, while he was shocked by Owen's comments, he had no problem with the club's 17-million-pound record signing.
New Newcastle coach Kevin Keegan will make Michael Owen captain for the English Premier League game against Bolton in a bid to draw a line under any conflict between the two men.
Owen revealed his disquiet at his relationship with Keegan during the 56-year-old's reign as England boss in his autobiography, and his words could have come back to haunt him this week.
But Keegan insisted that, while he was shocked by Owen's comments, he had no problem with the club's 17-million-pound record signing.
Indeed, he will ask the 27-year-old to lead the team out against Bolton later Saturday.
"Not only will he play, I will make him captain. He is the right guy to lead us - and that tells you what I think of him," said Keegan.
"I know people will try to make something of the stuff in his book, but people who know me know it will not bother me - any more than it will bother me if it is right to bring Alan Shearer here as number two.
"Other people might say, 'He will be a threat to you'. It won't bother me."