The 61-year-old expects to discover over the next week or so exactly how long his reign at St James's Park will last as owner Mike Ashley attempts to offload the club.

Under the former Wimbledon boss, the Magpies have collected nine points from a possible 18, and sit just above the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.

Asked if Kinnear has a longer-term future on Tyneside - something he freely admits he would relish - Given said: "He has done well so far.

"I don't really know the background of what is happening at Newcastle because no one has really told us anything.

"As far as I'm aware, the club is still up for sale, so I don't know if he is going to be here long-term, short-term or what.

"At the minute, we have been told short-term. He has got to have credit for what he has done so far, but it would be hard for me to sit here and say he should be the manager or he shouldn't be the manager because no one knows where the club is heading.

"As players, we like what he is doing in the sense that it is a difficult situation to manage because the club is up for sale, and it's not ideal.

"We are in a relegation fight and they are difficult times for the club, so it's not ideal. But he has done a very good job so far."