Uncertain times for Newcastle players

The continuing uncertainty off the pitch at Newcastle is having a knock-on effect on it as the players await developments.

Prospective buyers are still studying the club’s books with owner Mike Ashley hopeful of receiving the £100m offer he is seeking within weeks.

But as that process rumbles on, the Magpies remains managerless and Alan Shearer waits for a definitive answer on whether or not he will be the man to guide the club into a Coca-Cola Championship promotion bid.

With the players due back for pre-season training on July 1, the chances of coach Chris Hughton once again being asked to take the reins temporarily for what would be his third spell in charge grow by the day.

However, as the turmoil behind the scenes remains unresolved, key football issues are yet to be addressed and that could yet prove hugely damaging.

The Magpies are still saddled with the vast majority of their high earners - Michael Owen, Mark Viduka and Claudio Cacapa will be free agents at the end of the month, but their departures will shave only around £12m off an annual £74m wage bill which needs to be reduced far more drastically.

But in addition, men who have indicated their willingness to stay and work under Shearer are starting to consider their own futures.

It is understood defenders Steven Taylor and Habib Beye, two of the club’s better performers last season, have expressed misgivings about the current situation, and that is likely to alert suitors.

Taylor, 23, has been linked with a series of clubs in the recent past, but most recently, with West Ham, while 31-year-old Senegal international Beye is reportedly a target for Stoke.

With Frenchman Sebastien Bassong having indicated last week that his representatives are in talks with two other English clubs, Newcastle are in danger of losing several of the few players they are desperate to keep, and that will do little to encourage disgruntled fans that it is worth renewing their season tickets.

In addition, they are unable to move on their own transfer targets, and are thought to have missed out on several already.

Meanwhile, Hull boss Phil Brown’s confirmation that he has an interest in Owen may have raised eyebrows on Tyneside, although in truth, the 29-year-old’s future is largely irrelevant to Newcastle.

The England international rejected a new deal at the turn of the year, but his representatives have suggested he may well have wanted to extend his stay had Shearer been able to stave off relegation.

However, the drop into the Championship made that an unattractive proposition for both sides with the player looking for top-flight football and Newcastle unable to contemplate his wages as a result of their plummeting projected income.