Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan insists he doesn't want to see Newcastle United relegated.

Whelan is no fan of Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, but says: "Newcastle are such a big club, it would be a crying shame if they go down.

"They've got a wonderful, wonderful set of supporters.

"I can't imagine them going down. I know it's happened before, but I sincerely hope they don't go down.

"I think West Brom are already down. Middlesbrough and Newcastle look very, very likely, which is a shame because it's so awful fighting relegation in the Premier League.

"I'm very sorry for any club that goes down. It's heartbreaking."

Whelan played down his spat with Ashley, who has also clashed with the Wigan man in the business world.

"I don't dislike Mike Ashley," he told Sky Sports. "I think he's a very, very shrewd businessman.

"I get on very well with him actually, we've had one or two good nights out."