Newcastle's underperforming players are about to share a £10million reward for their disastrous relegation campaign, reports the Daily Mail. Owner Mike Ashley is committed to paying his players massive 'bonuses' at the end of this month, less than six weeks after they surrendered Newcastle's place in the Barclays Premier League.

With senior figures such as Michael Owen and Mark Viduka due annual loyalty payments believed to be in the region of £400,000, the overall bill will be around £10m.