If Amanda Staveley's company buys Newcastle United from Mike Ashley, the club could return European football to St. James' Park.

That is according to Magpies legend Alan Shearer.

The Premier League's record goal scorer experienced the feat under Bobby Robson. And he believes the new owners could invest the necessary money to take the club back to the upper echelons of English football.

"Yes, I do. Newcastle is a huge football club - 52,500 turning up every other week and it was the same crowd even when they were in the Championship; not many clubs will be able to beat that.

"The current owner doesn't want to be there so sooner the better the takeover happens for everyone. Rafa needs investment in that team; I thought it was going to be a long, hard season anyway but he needs new players in January and for that to happen there needs to be investment.

"Whether the takeover can happen that quickly to give Rafa funds remains to be seen, but that current owner doesn't want to be there."