Ashley tells Newcastle boss Pardew to draw up shopping list

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley held a transfer summit with manager Alan Pardew last week.

The Sunday Sun says Ashley told his staff to start drawing up a hit-list of players either out of contract or available in the close season back in AUGUST, with Blackburn flyer Junior Hoilett one of those names featuring highly.

A clutch of foreign stars are also featured on a list that has been constructed with an emphasis on bringing in a new central defender and central midfielder.

But staff are also on the lookout for a goalkeeper – and young strikers are being sourced too as the club prepare for life after Peter Lovenkrands, the unwanted Nile Ranger and, possibly, Leon Best.