Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is ready to throw even more money at the club's academy plans.

The Journal says United are prepared to spend up to £2.8m a year on the Academy - a huge rise on the £1.8million spent. March is a crucial month for those attempts, with Premier League auditors set to decide whether they will be granted 'Category One' Academy status under the new Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) from the game's governing body.

A United insider described attaining that status as "imperative" for Ashley's future vision - with a nightmare scenario of their top-flight rivals stealing the North East's best talent if they miss out on 'Category One.'