Blackburn, Bolton linked as Newcastle prepare Barton sale

Newcastle United still intend to sell Joey Barton.

The Mirror says Alan Shearer remains the preferred managerial option for the three groups leading the bidding to buy-out Mike Ashley.

And one of the 38-year-old''s first tasks will be to offload £60,000-a-week Barton for a cut-price £2.5m to either Blackburn or Bolton.