Uncertainty over £300m deal already affecting plans

NEWCASTLE United’s would-be owners have been left frustrated at the delay which is eating into the time they have to prepare and put plans in place for next season.

With the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test still ongoing, it means further delays in the process.

Even after approval is granted, it could be a few days before a money transfer is completed and the change in ownership is made official - raising the possibility of the whole saga moving towards the end of July or even August.

That is clearly impacting plans.

It has always been a long-term project but the consortium had hoped for time and breathing space to make decisions on the future of the head coach, recruitment calls and other things which will be required to address Newcastle’s immediate priorities.

The would-be owners have always been steadfast in their insistence that no contact has been made with possible candidates to replace Steve Bruce.

Instead, their view is they would want to speak to him as soon as the process moves to the stage where they get the green light to do that.

Indeed, with next season due to begin on September 12 pending Premier League approval, much of the groundwork for next year and is being laid by the existing hierarchy and some crucial decisions need resolving.

United have still not announced a main sponsor for next year, with FUN88’S deal expiring in the coming weeks.

A decision appears to have been mothballed with suggestions the new owners may want to use that space for branding with a Saudi Arabia connection.

future

NEWCASTLE United threw it away at Vicarage Road to slump to their second successive Premier League defeat.

Two sloppy moments from Matt Ritchie and Javier Manquillo cost Steve Bruce dearly as blunders in the penalty area allowed Troy Deeney to smash home twice and net a vital win for the home side.

It could have all been very different had United shown the same resolve they had in the first half.

A Dwight Gayle goal and focused defending from United had handed them a deserved lead at the break.

However, they went missing in the second period and their season is in danger of becoming a damp squib.

United created an opportunity after just three minutes when Allan Saint-maximin swept in a cross from the right but Miguel Almiron failed to connect in the danger area.

Saint-maximin then won a freekick on the right-hand side which Jonjo Shelvey whipped in - only for Fabian Schar to head high and wide.

On 11 minutes a Shelvey corner picked out Almiron at the back post but his effort was saved well by Ben Foster.

Newcastle had a narrow escape on 17 minutes when Danny Welbeck’s effort smacked the inside of the post and rolled towards goal - only for Jamaal Lascelles to make a vital clearance.

The Magpies, though, recovered well from that scare and took the lead on 23 minutes.

Shelvey’s probing ball forced a corner before Matt Ritchie curved the ball in

LEE RYDER