Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnear has revealed that Magpies owner Mike Ashley is in negotiations with ‘at least eight consortiums’ that are interested in taking over at St James’ Park.

Ashley declared his intention to sell the Premier League club last month in face of an angry backlash by the Toon army over the way Newcastle legend Kevin Keegan quit the club early in September. The sports magnate has hawked the Magpies around the Middle East, in the hope of attracting a potential buyer, although there is reportedly interest from a South African group along with links to a Nigerian consortium.

Kinnear, who was made interim boss at Newcastle following Keegan’s departure has also claimed that he might be in charge at St James’ Park for longer than initially thought.

When asked if he thought he would land the Newcastle job permanently Kinnear said: “I don't think so, to be honest, because I know for a fact Mike is talking to eight consortiums.

“I don't know the outcome of those. I haven't got a time-scale on it, so I don't really know what the outcome is.

“But I know he is in talks with at least eight consortiums because he has told me that himself.

“Who they are, what they are, when it will happen, there is no time-scale on it.

“I am contracted for eight games, but I assume that should due diligence and the deals go on a little bit longer, it may run into 10 or 12 games.”