London - Newcastle United striker Michael Owen moved on Friday to deny reports that he will retire from football at the end of the season. An early edition of the Express had suggested the 29 year old, whose career has been bedevilled by injury, would quit and become a full-time racehorse owner.
"Any suggestion or unfounded speculation that Michael Owen has any intention of quitting football is totally untrue and wrong," read a statement from Wasserman Media Group, who manage the former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker.
"Michael remains as committed to his football career as he ever has been and is deeply and professionally offended that anyone should suggest otherwise.
"Michael Owen has instructed lawyers - and will take action against any publication which he feels inaccurately or unfairly suggested he is quitting football and is damaging to his professional reputation."
Owen has made only 58 starts in the last four seasons because of injury, and his recent form has been poor.
Although he is England's third-highest goalscorer of all-time with 40 international goals - nine behind the record held by Bobby Charlton - Owen has not played for England since March 2008.
