Former Newcastle United wing-back Olivier Bernard feels the club has suffered over their failed takeover.

Bernard feels that Mike Ashley has chosen not to invest too heavily in recruitment because the Sports Direct magnate is convinced that the club will have new owners in 2022.

He told the Evening Chronicle: "I'm like the rest of the fans as far as the start to the season is concerned, but I'm not surprised we're sitting here with no wins after five games.

"There's a lot of going on at the club in terms of selling to new owners. I suspect everybody feels the same way, some will feel it's quite imminent but at the same time quite far.

"Everybody chooses to go week by week hoping for a better tomorrow. Even the owner has said himself it should be done in the next few months.

"It's coming, I think there will be a takeover, the problem is when? It's not clever for the owner to put money in when he thinks he's sold the club.

"That leaves a difficult situation on the pitch because we as fans want more quality on the pitch. But at the same time, we all want the club sold and hopefully now the Premier League can decide if this takeover takes place or not."