Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan's hopes of landing Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips are being delayed.

Keegan has been linked with a move for Wright-Phillips, and there is little doubt he will try to add creativity to a squad which certainly lacked it in the midfield area for much of last season.

However, his transfer dealings could be complicated by chairman Chris Mort's impending departure and the installation of his successor, with newly-appointed deputy Derek Llambias the hot favourite to take over, says the Daily Mail.

That said, the two men are currently working in tandem under the watchful eye of owner Mike Ashley and it would be no surprise if the groundwork for what the club hopes to do during the close-season is already under way.