Owen - ended last season strongly.

Michael Owen is confident he can maintain his impressive strike rate for Newcastle after being named captain for the new season.

The England frontman's role was pivotal as Newcastle banished relegation fears with a decent finish to the 2007/08 campaign.

He hit seven goals in Newcastle's final nine games of the season, as Kevin Keegan's side belatedly found form.

Owen will be looking for plenty more goals for club and country in the next 12 months, and admits scoring helps his confidence.

He told nufctv: "The end of the season was great.

"When I get in a rhythm and start playing regularly I feel great.

"I started scoring a few goals and that will continue as long as I get on the pitch and I'm fine.

"We had a good time of it and there was a feel-good factor about the club and we were buzzing as a group."

Owen, who contracted mumps earlier this summer, added: "Hopefully we can start the new season in the same way as we finished the last one."

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker is entering the final year of his contract at St James' Park, having joined on a four-year deal in 2005 after a spell in Spain.

Newcastle boss Keegan is hoping Owen agrees an extension before the season starts for the Magpies with a trip to Manchester United on August 17.