Chris Hughton is set to takeover the manager's reigns at Newcastle United.

With Alan Shearer in the outer, the Daily Mail says it has emerged first team coach Hughton is on the verge of taking control of the club for the start of pre-season.

It could be another month before a sale is completed and the delay means Newcastle are set to discover their Championship fixtures with no pre-season plans in place.

Managing director Derek Llambias, who is running the club from his London base, wants Hughton to take the reins in the hope the sale of the club will go through without any difficulties and arrange friendlies for July and August.

As Shearer continues to wait for news of the pending takeover, plans to build a statue at St James's Park in his honour have also been put on hold.