Shearer talks go on as Ashley eyes exit

TALKS over Alan Shearer’s future continued yesterday amid renewed speculation that owner Mike Ashley could sell the club.

Shearer, who held lengthy discussions with the sportswear magnate and managing director Derek Llambias on Tuesday, returned to the club’s Darsley Park training headquarters yesterday for a further meeting with Llambias, with the Magpies hoping to thrash out a deal to make him their permanent boss.

They did so as it emerged that Keith Harris, chairman of investment bank Seymour Pierce, had also travelled to the north-east yesterday.