Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is demanding an improvement in results over the next two games from manager Kevin Keegan.

The Daily Mail says Ashley is concerned about Keegan's apparent inability to guide his side clear of relegation danger and is prepared to make his second change of manager.

Toon's slide has forced Ashley to consider asking Keegan to step aside already and take a position in the St James' Park boardroom, allowing a new manager to come in for a salvage operation.

Dennis Wise, recently appointed executive director (football), would be the obvious choice to take over after his success at Leeds and with Millwall, whom he guided to the FA Cup Final and into Europe.