Newcastle United chiefs are working from a tight shortlist in their search for a new manager.

The Daily Mail says reports of shortlists as big as eight men being drawn up are exaggerated and managing director Lee Charnley and chief scout Graham Carr have instead narrowed their targets.

Derby County's Steve McClaren is the only domestic-based boss being considered and, despite denials from Rams chief executive Sam Rush, he could yet end up at St James' Park, albeit with a compensation package agreed.

United, though, would not have to pay a penny in severance for former Lyon chief Remi Garde. The ex-Arsenal defender left Lyon at the end of last season after three years in charge and, like McClaren, fits the bill of 'head coach' the Magpies want to take care of first-team affairs.