Glenn Roeder watched Michael Owen make his comeback in Newcastle's 1-0 defeat by Reading and then claimed he is unconcerned by speculation over his own future at St James' Park.

Owen made his first start since December 2005 after recovering from the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament he sustained in last summer's World Cup and finished the played the full 90 minutes.

The 27-year-old had a goal disallowed for offside before Dave Kitson's 50th-minute strike sealed Reading's third successive victory, lifting them to seventh in the Premiership.

But while Owen's return has provided Newcastle with a timely lift, Roeder was forced to defend his own position amid reports Sam Allardyce could take over in the summer.

Allardyce quit as Bolton boss on Sunday and has been linked with moves to the struggling Magpies and Manchester City, where manager Stuart Pearce is also under pressure.

Roeder said: "Down the years Newcastle have always been an easy target for speculation - it happened with Graeme Souness, Bobby Robson and now me.

"It's the same with the players - any time a player wants to leave a club people speculate that he wants to join Newcastle United.

"That's the animal and that's how it is. I certainly don't lose one second's sleep over it.

"I've been through too many things in my life to worry about speculation. I am not worried at all. But I'm not surprised by things like this.

"I feel sorry for Stuart Pearce and I hope he can cope the same way I do."  PA