Newcastle United refuse to shell out the £60,000 for a sculpture of manager Alan Shearer to be erected at St James' Park.

A bronze statue of Shearer was originally commissioned by Freddy Shepherd, Newcastle's former chairman, to mark the player's goal-scoring exploits for the club, but it now appears likely the only way it will ever be erected is if the new manager keeps the club in the Premier League, says the Guardian.

Tom Maley, the sculptor, has despaired of ever seeing his fee or his completed work standing outside the Newcastle ground after Ashley apparently mothballed plans to erect the £60,000 statue of Shearer.

"The club have said they will be happy to go ahead as and when finance is available," said Maley, who has put work on the sculpture on hold. "I have asked club directors to personally put me in touch with Mike Ashley to push for progress, but that has not happened.

"I have heard nothing for some months now and unless Alan Shearer performs a miracle and keeps Newcastle up I don't expect to."