A clearout at Newcastle United could be on if Mike Ashley fails to find a buyer for the club by the January market.

The News of the World says the Magpies have six players picking up more than £3m a year.

Top of that list is Michael Owen, who will be available for a knockdown £2m fee in January, when his contract will have just six months to run. Manchester City, one of the few clubs who can match his £110,000- a-week wages, could make a move.

There will also be fresh attempts to off-load big earners Alan Smith and Joey Barton.

And Oba Martins' future on Tyneside is also in doubt. The Nigerian striker is unhappy that a contract extension was blocked.