ASHLEY PREPARING TO SUE STAVELEY

IT was a bruising day for Newcastle United and their owners, an FA Cup exit to a League One side then news of a legal claim from Mike Ashley against Amanda Staveley and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi. The details of the High Court action have not been made public but Ashley’s intention to sue the club’s co-owners will be unhelpful at a time when focus is needed elsewhere. Primarily, Staveley must sign a striker before Saturday’s visit of relegation rivals Watford or risk losing a match that ranks as the biggest of their tenure to date. She sat alongside Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan as Eddie Howe’s side were beaten 1-0 by Cambridge. The ownership team visited the dressing room and Howe’s office afterwards. They offered support to the players and coach, but backing in the transfer market will be vital. Newcastle do not have a striker available. Top scorer Callum Wilson is out for two months, with back-up Dwight Gayle also sidelined.