Newcastle United football chief Dennis Wise is working at full throttle ahead of the January market.

The Evening Chronicle says in the past week or so Wise has been in Metz on a scouting trip, had a couple of days at the club's training ground and taken in a reserve game at St James's Park.

And last Wednesday Wise was back at the ground with his technical director Jeff Vetere and managing director Derek Llambias as United launched their ambitious Schools Soccer Programme.

A Toon source said: "Everyone knows the club is up for sale but, in the meantime, everyone is just getting on with their jobs and this includes the Director of Football."