Former Tottenham and Barcelona boss Terry Venables is being linked with Newcastle United.

The Daily Mail says Newcastle may be forced to turn to Venables before the end of the season as Joe Kinnear awaits a heart by-pass operation in a Midlands hospital on Friday.

Owner Mike Ashley has taken the view that the pair can handle the relegation battle unless the club fall into the bottom three, but with home games against Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton in the next month, that cannot be ruled out.

Ashley, who has returned to the club in recent weeks to take a more hands-on role, could again turn to former England boss Venables to guide the club away from trouble.

Venables turned down the job in September before Kinnear's appointment.