Source: Eurosport
Newcastle players demand resolution
Newcastle's beleaguered players remain in the dark over the club's future with the start of the new season less than four weeks away.
The Magpies played their first pre-season friendly against Shamrock Rovers in Dublin on Saturday as their preparations for the Coca-Cola Championship opener at West Brom on August 8 started in earnest.
However, they did so with owner Mike Ashley still waiting for someone to stump up the £100million he wants to sell the club and with no manager in place.
French defender Sebastien Bassong was due back on Tyneside today after an extended break having indicated his future lies away from St James' Park, while it is understood a series of senior professionals are growing increasingly unsettled at the lack of progress off the pitch.
Midfielder Kevin Nolan said: "We want somebody to make a decision - it's unfair on the players and the staff.
"To be fair, the players have been fantastic and have done what needed to be done. We will continue to keep our heads down.
"But in the next week, we certainly want to know what is going to happen. We would prefer to know whether Mike Ashley is going to keep it next season or whether somebody is coming in. Then we can start getting ready for the Championship."
Nolan's comments were echoed by England Under-21 defender Steven Taylor, who is keen to remain with the club provided that Alan Shearer is appointed manager.
He said: "We want a manager and a bit of stability - we need that.
"We have got an owner who wants to sell, but as players, we don't know what's going on. We want something sorted quickly, but we will have to wait and see what happens."
