The development will be seen as another sign that Ashley is withdrawing from the idea of appointing Alan Shearer as full-time manager at St James' Park.
Ashley Puts Every Player Up For Sale!
The development will be seen as another sign that Ashley is withdrawing from the idea of appointing Alan Shearer as full-time manager at St James' Park.
In his blueprint for promotion from the Championship next season, Shearer had said he wished to keep players such as Steven Taylor and Habib Beye and apparently received some encouragement from Ashley that this was a sound business plan.
But as of early last night Shearer had still not heard back from Ashley about the crucial bank negotiations that are the key to his appointment and Ashley's instruction on the squad, while unsurprising, is hardly Shearer's ideal position.