There was no breakthrough in takeover discussions with Tyneside businessman Barry Moat.
But Newcastle are no nearer getting David O'Leary as manager as they were last year when Ashley offered him the job when Kevin Keegan walked out.
O'Leary said "no", because he couldn't see any long term future, with Ashley looking likely to 'walk the walk'.
Now Ashley could jump ship any second ... and those are not the terms the former Leeds and Aston Villa manager wants to work under.
If no deal is forthcoming by the end of the week — Ashley is understood to feel that Moat and his backers are £10m short — it appears increasingly unlikely the Spurs supporter is stuck in limbo.
What is £10m to billionaire Ashley? Coppers in his arse pocket.
But he seems happy to string along the Toon supporters, who are desperate to see him go.