London, Nov.9 : Newcastle coach Joe Kinnear has warned Chelsea that they face a fight to land striker Michael Owen.

According to The Sun, Kinnear believes 'dozen' Premier League teams, including Manchester United and Liverpool, will be battling to secure Owen's services.

"I don't want to lose any of our best players. The clock is ticking to January but the clock is ticking for me too. Will I have any influence over him? If I am still here, yes. I hope that I could keep him," Kinnear was quoted, as saying.

"I have a perfect relationship with him. It is understandable that other clubs are interested. He is 28, has bags of ability and can score goals. There must be dozens who want him - dozens," he added.

Owen's current deal runs out this summer and the England striker is yet to sign an extension.

Kinnear, who takes his men to Fulham on Sunday, added: "At the moment, the club is trying to be sold so I don't know if anyone is going to sit down with Michael. It might be a case of 'We don't know where we are going. Whoever comes in, it's their problem'."

ANI