Mike Ashley has no regrets over his purchase of Newcastle United.

"I've made mistakes, sure," he told the News of the World. "But do I regret buying Newcastle? Absolutely not.

"I had a fantastic year owning a fantastic club. It really was like someone fulfilling their boyhood dream.

"Up to a point, I enjoyed every minute of it."

Privately, Ashley has told friends that he cannot see a day when he is welcomed back in Newcastle by the fans.

Of his plans to sell the club, Ashley said: "I have not had a single credible bid."

Ashley had heard the whispers of a Pini Zahavi-led group being keen to get round the negotiating table.

"Someone told me they had been interested in Portsmouth and West Ham," Ashley said. "Why would we be third on the list? We are a much bigger club than those two."