MAGPIE STARS IN PLEA TO ASHLEY

NEWCASTLE stars have made a personal plea to Mike Ashley asking for clarity over the club’s stalled takeover.

Skipper Jamaal Lascelles, below, is believed to have spoken to ower Ashley on behalf of the squad with the club in limbo as they wait for the Premier League to rule on the Saudi-funded deal.

Manager

Steve Bruce, whose future is uncertain, says the situation is “unhealthy”.

He said: “We can’t use that [the takeover] as an excuse but we need a bit of clarity and get it put to bed one way or another.”

The Premier League has now spent 13 weeks deliberating over whether the state-owned Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia are suitable owners. There are concerns in the Ashley camp that the longer the deal is delayed the less likely it is to be passed.