Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce is concentrating solely on getting England striker Michael Owen back on to the pitch amid frenzied speculation over his future.
The club's £17million record signing, who celebrates his 28th birthday today as he continued his fight for match fitness after a thigh injury, did so against the background of fresh rumours over his situation on Tyneside.
Allardyce has denied speaking to Manchester City counterpart Sven-Goran Eriksson about the former Liverpool and Real Madrid star amid persistent links with the former England boss.
However, it is understood discreet inquiries were made to ascertain City's position on the matter as the Tyneside club attempted to discover whether or not they might have to look for a replacement during the winter transfer window.
But Allardyce insisted as he conducted his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow's Barclays Premier League trip to Fulham that getting Owen's name back on to his own teamsheet is his only focus.
Asked if he expects to have the frontman at his disposal for the rest of the campaign, he said: "Absolutely.
"The first and the only thing on our minds is making sure Michael is available to start playing for us as quickly as possible - and staying fit and available, because that is hugely important."
Eriksson has been touted as a potential buyer for Owen ever since his arrival at Eastlands with Newcastle having failed to see the best of a player they hoped would transform their fortunes when they signed him in August 2005.
A disastrous run of injuries has limited him to just 25 appearances and 10 goals since, and with just 18 months left on his contract at St James' Park, there is little doubt that a sizeable offer would have to be considered when he could leave for nothing at the end of next season.
However, with City's interest appearing to have subsided, at least in the short-term, Allardyce is not expecting any major developments next month.
He said: "It is December, it is speculation time. It is volatile in terms of what is being bandied about throughout the whole of the media world in football.
"The speculation goes with agents or anybody ringing you up for whatever reason and mentioning or talking about one particular player, and straight away, you are either going to buy him or another rumour comes around and all of a sudden, you are selling.
"Certainly at this moment in time, my squad coming to January is going to be depleted by four players going to the African Nations Cup, and there is no room for me moving any players out of this football club.
"It is about, if anything, bringing some players in to bolster the squad, not just for the players who are missing for the African nations, but hopefully, if it is there, to get us better to see us through this season."
With Obafemi Martins due to head off on African Nations Cup duty for up to six weeks after the clash with City on January 2, Owen could yet have a vital role to play for Newcastle as they attempt to build upon their improved recent form.
He is not in the squad for the game at Craven Cottage, but could return against Derby next Sunday.
In the meantime, Allardyce will hope to record a first away win since the opening day of the campaign against Lawrie Sanchez's men, hopefully on the back of the clean sheet which has eluded them on the road in the league for more than a year.
Brazilian defender Claudio Cacapa could return from a hamstring problem, but Allardyce has in recent weeks had reason to be grateful for youngster Steven Taylor, who has simply enhanced his reputation in the draw with Arsenal and last weekend's victory over Birmingham.
The manager said: "Recently, he has been very, very good indeed. In terms of our stability in defence, he has been a rock there just recently because we have had to disrupt and change it around because of the injuries.
"It (defence) has caused us problems, but certainly in the last two games, it has been excellent.
"He is obviously a very committed and a very brave lad and a young lad who is getting better and better."
