Source: Telegraph
Mike Ashley makes shock Newcastle return
The sports retail tycoon demonstrated his renewed commitment to tackling the club's woes when he visited Newcastle's Darsley Park training ground for talks with manager Joe Kinnear and managing director Derek Llambias. [LNB]It was the first time that the Sports Direct founder had been seen by his stunned players since Kevin Keegan's dramatic resignation as manager last September prompted a huge backlash among fans against Ashley and the rest of the so-called 'Cockney Mafia'. [LNB]Ashley removed the 'for-sale' signs at the ailing Tyneside club a month ago and now he seems certain to take a more hands-on role to revive their fortunes. His visit to the practice ground was seen as his way of invigorating Newcastle's efforts to strengthen their squad this month. [LNB]Despite Ashley's sudden appearance, it would appear that Irish goalkeeper Shay Given has played his last game for the club with a £9 million move to Manchester City now imminent. [LNB]Given's understudy, Steve Harper, 33, has been told by Kinnear that he will take over first-team duties when Newcastle face City at Eastlands on Wednesday night which signals the end of an era. [LNB]Kinnear has reluctantly given up hope of persuading Given to stay at the club and it is understood that his representative, the lawyer Michael Kennedy, was also at the training ground as the way is paved for him to leave the club he has served for 11 years. [LNB]The former City midfielder, Joey Barton, is also set for an emotional return to his former club with Newcastle having rejected a renewed £4 million bid from Portsmouth for his services. [LNB]Colin Calderwood, 44, who, like Kinnear, used to manage Nottingham Forest, has joined his coaching staff. [LNB]
