Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is turning to Keith Harris to help him find a buyer.

The News of the World says Toon's billionaire owner will instruct former Football League chairman Harris to sell the St James' Park club for £450million.

Harris is chairman of City investment bank Seymour Pierce and has an enviable track record in finding new owners for football clubs.

Last summer, he masterminded former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's acquisition of Manchester City.

Harris is returning from a trip to North America to begin work on off-loading the North East club for under-fire Ashley.