Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is in a row with the local council.

The Sun says Newcastle City Council have blasted the plan to change the stadium name to the Sports Direct Arena and have urged media outlets to keep calling it St James' Park.

Toon owner Ashley and top brass have threatened legal action.

Chairman Derek Llambias said: "We feel this issue is being used by the council as a cheap publicity stunt during these hard economic times."

But a council spokesman said: "To us, along with the vast majority of fans, the home of Newcastle United will always be called St James' Park."