NEWCASTLE boss Sam Allardyce has revealed the prospect of managing Michael Owen was an opportunity too good to miss.

Allardyce took over at St James' Park a week at the end of last season following eight years in charge at Bolton Wanderers.

He worked near miracles on a shoestring budget at the Reebok Stadium, and delivered two European finishes in three seasons. Unfortunately the former Trotters boss says he could take the club no further.

Allardyce said one of the principal reasons for his decision to accept the Newcastle post was the huge resources he would have at his disposal. But the United manager also made it known that the chance to work with Owen was another important factor in swapping life in the North-West for the North-East.

"Michael was one of the reasons I came here," admitted Allardyce.

"When you decide to come to a football club you look at the players they have and ask yourself what chance you have of being successful. You look at the likes of Michael, Shola (Ameobi), Obafemi Martins, the Kieron Dyers and people like that.

"It makes you want to come and add to them. I am here to be more successful than I was at Bolton, and the quality that is already here obviously delights me."

The irony of Allardyce's admission is that speculation has raged over whether Owen and Martins would actually be at the club for the start of the new Premier League campaign.

At the end of last term news was leaked that both could leave St James' Park if a club triggered respective £9m and £13m escape clauses they had in their contracts.

Owen, however, recently nailed his colours to the Magpies mast after months of uncertainty and calls for him to show his commitment to the club. Prior to the friendly at Hartlepool on Tuesday, the England striker put an end to any more speculation linking him with a move away from United when he confessed: "Yes, I would love to skipper Newcastle United."

The Newcastle frontman netted in black and white colours for the first time since December 15, 2005, when he slotted home from six yards in United's 3-1 victory at Victoria Park.

Owen says he was delighted to finally get on the scoresheet for the club after going 19 months without a goal and stated he is looking forward to getting more for the Magpies in the forthcoming campaign.

"We all realise how important all these games are but there's nothing like the real thing," admitted the 28-year-old striker.

"We need to get these out of the way and get the season started.

"We're really looking forward to the new season now and that is when it really counts."