The Magpies boss missed training for a third successive day with no official explanation from the club for his absence.
Newcastle confirmed on Wednesday that talks with Keegan were 'ongoing', and insisted that he had not been sacked, or resigned from his post.
But Keegan was in no hurry to do anything, as Ashley hot-legged it out of Newcastle!
But we understand that Ashley has flown back into England from a business trip to hold urgent discussions with his manager.
But with no further public announcements emerging from the North East club, and no sign of Keegan at their Darsley Park training base, speculation continues to rage.
The club's fans seem to have had enough of Ashley and his side-kicks and the Newcastle owner had better come up with some answers pretty soon.