Kinnear’s Toon tenure extended

NEWCASTLE boss Joe Kinnear will have the final say over his January signings after being handed the job until the end of the season.

Owner Mike Ashley yesterday effectively shelved his plans to sell the club for the meantime after fruitless weeks of searching for a buyer when he handed the 61-year-old the reins until May.

A delighted Kinnear later revealed that he had been told he would have money to spend, and that he could start the process of negotiating new contracts with the likes of striker Michael Owen and midfielder Nicky Butt, who along with goalkeeper Steve Harper will be free agents at the end of the campaign.