NICKY BUTT feels Obafemi Martins and Michael Owen's personal duel for a starting place in the Newcastle United side is a mark of the progress being made at St James' Park.

Owen's first start of the new season for the Magpies ended with a trademark finish against Barnsley in the Carling Cup on Wednesday.

And, after the £16m man made way following 83 minutes of action, Martins netted his third of the campaign in the closing stages.

With Owen almost at full fitness, manager Sam Allardyce has a difficult decision over the next few hours. Does he opt for the England man and club record buy, or does he keep the prolific Martins in his Premier League starting line-up for today's visit of Wigan Athletic?

Despite suggestions of a £13m offer from Manchester United for Martins, nothing materialised last night.

The Nigerian was afforded a hero's reception when he entered the fray against Barnsley in midweek, while he was also given a glowing send off in last weekend's draw with Middlesbrough - when he was substituted for Owen.

Butt hopes both predators can remain happy with life on Tyneside and the Newcastle midfielder feels such battles for places is being replicated across the club.

"Oba got a fantastic reception when he came on and it is a squad game these days," said Butt, who will also face a fight for his place when Joey Barton and Emre return from injuries.

"All the top teams have squads of 16, 18 even 20 players who are good enough and we are getting that kind of squad here now.

"There are good players at Newcastle who are not even on the bench and we are a lot stronger. I think this is the strongest squad since I have been here.

"Numbers wise we have a lot of injuries still but against Barnsley we put out a very good starting XI, which shows there is real depth in our squad."

Owen was able to celebrate his first competitive Newcastle goal since his hat-trick at West Ham in December 2005, a relief after a frustrating couple of appearances following injury.

After today's fixture with Wigan, the 27-year-old is likely to start both of England's European Championships qualifiers with Israel and Russia.

And Butt said: "It was great for Michael to score the other night as he has worked very hard to get back to where he is now.

"The gaffer said it will take time for him. We will have to be patient with him because it is a fact he is a world-class player but you cannot just switch it on like a tap when you come back from a long injury.

"But to come back like that, looking strong, fit and sharp and to play over 80 minutes, will do him the world of good."

After failing to win their last two Premier League games against Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, Newcastle are keen to taste victory over Wigan today and preserve their unbeaten start to the season.

"The manager has one or two selection headaches for Wigan," said Butt. "Every manager would say that is a good thing to have. It is a home game and we have to perform and get a few goals.

"Wigan are a good team and have some quality players, including Antoine Sibierski, who played for us last season and is scoring lots of goals. Against 99 per cent of teams in the Premier League and in Europe we are very confident at St James' Park and we have to make sure they are not the exception who come to our ground and get a result."

Meanwhile, former Newcastle midfielder Amdy Faye has joined Rangers on a season-long loan.