Former Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd is ready to make a return to the troubled club.

The Sunday Sun says the long-time Newcastle supremo would be willing to re-invest some of the £37 million he banked from selling his stake in the club to Mike Ashley if it would help prevent Alan Shearer from leaving in the summer.

Moves are afoot by at least one Geordie entrepreneur to bring together people with the financial clout to buy all or part of United from Ashley, and ensure Shearer stays on as manager next season - whichever division Newcastle are in.