'Sven would be interested in Newcastle'

Out-of-work former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson would be interested in talking to Newcastle United about succeeding Glenn Roeder in the St James' Park hotseat.

Sam Allardyce, who stepped down as Bolton manager last week despite, is widely seen as favourite to be the Magpies' next manager in the wake of Roeder's resignation following the 2-0 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers.

Lyon boss Gerard Houllier has also emerged a possible contender. While there has been no contact between the Magpies and Eriksson's representatives, the St James' Park job appears just the kind he would seriously consider.

Eriksson's agent Athole Still said: "There has been no contact whatsoever, but if Newcastle were interested in Sven-Goran Eriksson, I am sure Sven-Goran Eriksson would be interested in talking to Newcastle.

"Sven is very keen to get back into club football and he would be interested in talking to any club which had real ambition."

Only last month, Shepherd dismissed speculation that Eriksson, who has been looking for a new job since standing down as England head coach last summer, was being lined up to replace Roeder.

Meanwhile, reports claim England hitman Michael Owen could be on his way out of St James' Park in the summer after it emerged a £9 million release clause will kick in at the end of the season.

It is believed that the clause, which was inserted as part of the deal which brought Owen to Newcastle from Real Madrid for £16 million in August 2005, will be activated by the Magpies' lowly Premiership finish this season.

The likes of Premiership rivals Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are all believed to be monitoring the situation.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

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