ASH IN CASH GRAB

NEWCASTLE admit owner Mike Ashley has clawed back a slice of his £144million loan to the club.

The Sports Direct tycoon (right) handed United an extra £15m during their season in the Championship.

But after they finished 10th in the Premier League last season and banked £125.8m in TV cash, plus a transfer profit this summer, Ashley has reduced his loan.

With Toon now second bottom in the league, the club told a fans’ forum: “The amount owed to the owner was disclosed in the last accounts and the figure is currently less than that.”