Reports from St James' Park suggest Ashley has David O'Leary and Alan Curbishley in his sights ... short term.
The news will be covered in the Chronicle tonight.
Meanwhile caretaker manager Chris Hughton is hoping Damien Duff and Obafemi Martins will return from injury for the weekend's trip to West Ham.
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Hughton told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle: "The closest at the moment would probably be Martins, and we're hopeful of having him and Damien Duff back.
"They would be the closest, and we are not expecting Alan Smith or Mark Viduka back."
Danny Guthrie will also be unavailable on Saturday as he starts a three-match ban after his red card for breaking the leg of Hull's Craig Fagan.