Three-week countdown for Toon takeover bid, claims Kinnear

JOE KINNEAR has revealed he expects Newcastle United’s future to become clear after the visit to Chelsea in three weeks’ time.

There has been a lot of talk about United being taken over but it appears there are no firm bids on the table for club owner Mike Ashley.

This has left Kinnear’s own future very much in the air but he insisted yesterday: “I’ve always said I would honour what I do.

“But I know that after the Chelsea match at Stamford Bridge on November 22 it is D-day. After that it will all be revealed. It was going to be up to the Chelsea game. Either it will be sold or they’ve changed their minds. We talk after Chelsea.”

Kinnear knows even a good run of form on the pitch could still see him leaving after his contract expires.

He said: “In the short term I will do my best but it might get sold under my feet. We’ve had Russians and South Africans but nobody has stepped up. But your guess is as good as mine.

“Myself, Mike Ashley, Dennis Wise and Derek Llambias will all sit down and talk.”

Kinnear though admitted he was keen to discover if he was going to be backed in the transfer market if he was still in charge.

He added: “I have asked if there is a ‘game plan’ if the club isn’t sold. Obviously if I do stay I would like finances.”

And Kinnear feels that the club’s future needs to be sorted for all concerned on Tyneside.

He said: “We need to have clear-the-air talks. That would be good for all of us. Myself, the players, the fans and everybody associated with the club.”

Midfielder Nicky Butt was back in training yesterday after missing Tuesday’s victory over West Brom at St James’ Park and he will be joined by skipper Michael Owen for the game with Aston Villa at St James’ Park on Monday night.

But Kinnear stressed that neither would automatically return to the side after their stand-ins Shola Ameobi and Joey Barton did so well against West Brom.