Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt is confident that team-mate Michael Owen will stay at St James' Park.
The 34-year-old's comments may come as a shock to some given that many pundits expect the former Liverpool striker to leave the club for nothing in the summer.
Owen's current deal runs out at the end of the season and, after turning down the Toon board's offer of a new one, speculation is rife over where his future may lie.
With Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham all said to be trailing Owen many expect the 29-year-old England international to leave the North East.
But Butt is adamant that his close friend could end up remaining with Newcastle after all.
"I still believe Michael could be staying, to be honest," Butt said.
"Obviously he's out of contract and negotiations have stopped at the minute. But it's not like he's going about saying 'I want to leave'.
"He's happy here, he's committed to Newcastle and I think there could be a bit of a shock in that maybe he'll stay if they can come to a deal.
"If players want to leave, you can tell straight away. Shay Given got to a point where it was time to leave.
"It was right for him. But I don't sense that from Michael."
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