Newcastle deputy chairman Chris Mort: "Sam is in a very similar position to us in that he is new to the club.

"He is looking very closely at the playing side and seeing what we can do to develop the playing side, and absolutely, we appreciate that takes time to develop.

"Sam is a great appointment - obviously not our appointment, but we have absolutely no problems with the role Sam has got and we are sticking with him."

Allardyce was appointed by chairman Freddy Shepherd in May before Ashley launched his takeover, and it has been noted how quiet Shepherd has been since the take-over.

He will be paid for two years now he has parted with his shares, a clause interestingly put into his contract by himself. And the impression we get from Ashley is 'he's getting paid so he can do something for it'.

But that 'something' is not going to be much. Mort seems happy to ease himself into the job, and he looks to be the mouthpiece for the club in coming months.


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Mort revealed funds will be made available, but declined to put a figure on the size of Allardyce's kitty.

He said: "There certainly will be more signings. Sam is definitely going to take the lead on the football side. He is going to lead the charge in deciding who the club needs.

"He and I speak on a very regular basis. We will work together to decide who to bring in, but he is going to lead the charge on that.

"There is more money in the kitty. We are not going to talk about numbers, but he and we see areas of the squad that could be strengthened, and we will look to do that."

NEWCASTLE UTD'S PREMIERSHIP RECORD

1994 3rd - Kevin Keegan