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By Mike Collett
NEWCASTLE, England, Jan 19 (Reuters) - England striker Michael Owen will captain Newcastle United against Bolton Wanderers in Kevin Keegan's first match as Newcastle manager at St James' Park on Saturday (1715 GMT).
Keegan's decision to hand Owen the skipper's armband should end any talk of a rift between the two after Owen criticised Keegan in his autobiography.
Keegan told the Evening Chronicle newspaper: "Not only will Michael be playing, but I'll make him captain. That tells you what I think about him.
"He is the right guy to lead us. I know people will try and make stuff about his book but people who know me know it won't bother me."
In his autobiography, Owen said that playing for England when Keegan was coach was a "dark period" in his career.
Owen has had two periods out of the Newcastle side this season because of injury and has only scored two league goals, the last against Everton on Oct. 7.
His goal against Stoke City in Newcastle's 4-1 F.A. Cup third round replay victory on Wednesday was his first goal in that competition for four years.
