Ashley returns to head the hunt for quick solution

Mike Ashley, Newcastle United's owner, today returns from a business trip to Hong Kong and will immediately set about filling the club's managerial vacancy. Last night officials at Blackburn Rovers were still waiting for an official approach from Newcastle to speak to Mark Hughes and they fully expected to hear from the Tyneside club shortly. Having failed to land the first choice, Harry Redknapp, last weekend, it is believed that Ashley wants to take a fuller role in the recruitment process.

Another interested party returning from holiday today is Alan Shearer, who flies in from Barbados. Although he was told by Newcastle's chairman, Chris Mort, last Thursday that he would not be considered for the No1 role at St James' Park, there has been a considerable local enthusiasm for a dream ticket of the former England and Newcastle strikers Kevin Keegan and Shearer. Keegan yesterday refused to rule himself out of the running, saying, "I would not rule it in and I would not rule it out", but club sources are sceptical about his chances.

There is some concern as to Newcastle's defensive performance, exacerbated by the 6-0 thrashing at Old Trafford on Saturday which featured some terrible decision-making by the back four. Keegan was not noted for his defensive organisation with Newcastle, Fulham, England or Manchester City. Ashley, who watches many matches with the fans, is well aware of the ordinary man's preferences and could be swayed by the romantic notion, but at present he is expected to be better persuaded by the colder logic of appointing Hughes.

The Welshman is understood to be strongly tempted by the Newcastle job and is believed already to have been sounded out by an intermediary. Indeed, it seems that Ashley considered making the Blackburn manager his first choice before opting for Redknapp, who rebuffed Newcastle on Saturday.

Blackburn's chairman, John Williams, who categorically denied that he had discussed a potential compensation package with Newcastle for the manager, said: "We have not received any approach from Newcastle United for Mark Hughes. He is doing a great job here and we obviously want to keep him. We are chasing a Champions League place so why would he want to leave?"

Although Newcastle have been led to believe Hughes would say yes, they also claim to have received calls from representatives of several managers working both in the Premier League and abroad.

Kevin Gallacher, a former Newcastle and Blackburn striker, believes Ashley should make a swift move for Hughes. "Mark was a star as a player and he commands respect in the dressing room and knows what being at a big club is about. He won't be fazed by Newcastle one bit."