Joe Kinnear has extended his contract at Newcastle United to the end of the season.

The Irishman initially joined Newcastle on a one-month deal, which was then extended until the end of November as the club continue to look for new owners.

The former Nottingham Forest and Wimbledon boss has helped steady the ship at St James' Park and a number of players had called for Kinnear to be handed the job on a more permanent basis.

Kinnear has expressed his desire to extend his stay on Tyneside and the club have now acted by giving him a deal until the end of the current campaign.

The news will fuel further speculation over the club's difficulties to find new owners with Mike Ashley actively looking to sell the club.