'It's had a lick of paint' - Ex-Newcastle hero Lee Clark wants new owners to prioritise Benton revamp

Clark is a former player of two spells at St James's Park as well as a coach and his son, Bobby Clark, is currently a star of the club's academy.

And the 47-year-old admits he's hopeful the £300million takeover of United will see training facilities and upgrades to infrastructure put at the top of the 'to do' list for PCP Capital Partners, Amanda Staveley, Reuben Brothers and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

"It's had a lick of paint since then," Clark joked about the club's Benton training base and its development since his retirement in 2006.

"I am excited about the takeover not only for the money being brought into the club and the team but also speaking as an ex-coach and player, this is about improving the infrastructure of the club as well.

"I also speak as the parent of an academy player and I want to see the club's facilities upgraded to the 21st century.

"The elite clubs look after their players, because that is what elite players expect. The elite players want the elite facilities.

"I don't think it would take a massive amount of money to turn Newcastle's current training ground in to a world class facility.

"They have the grounds there to develop it – but they may opt to build from scratch elsewhere."

One thing that must also be high on the agenda for new owners is improving the playing squad – Clark thinks this will prove a more gradual process and United fans must remain patient.

"It's great for the media. When a takeover is linked, with this kind of money, it sees lots of stories and links, at a time when there is no football going on," he said of the takeover talk which has dominated the footballing landscape during the Premier League blackout.

"Newcastle United have been linked with some top, top players - but what I will say is, it will be a gradual process.

"The owners will have to build the squad and the club up.

"If you are looking at the real elite players a very low percentage of them will want to join the club straight away because it is not in European competitions or fighting for cups or Premier League titles.

"There will be exceptions who will want to join at the beginning of the project but most will be looking to join Newcastle further down the line.

"You just have to look at the players brought in at Man City, they progressed them on before they brought in the elite level players."

Newcastle is a club that is close to Wallsend lad Clark's heart and he admits now, as well as being an 'academy dad' and an out-of-work football manager, he's a fan like everyone else.

And he knows just how important a successful Newcastle is to the city and its fans.

"If the club does become successful the numbers are there. The fans will come back in droves," he said.

"Newcastle have one of the fantastic arenas in football but there is an idea that may be extended. You will no doubt see a return to the waiting lists for tickets.

"The passion, the support, the numbers are there - that's something the new owners don't have to worry about."

Clark, who had two spells at United from 1990 to 1997 and the 2005-06 season, continued: "All the fans want is a club that tries to be successful and they haven't had that for the last 13 years.

"Hopefully they can go one better than we did in the 1990s with the 'Entertainers'.

"This is not misguided ambition – they just want to see a team have more ambition than just to stay in the league.

"As we have seen with the two relegations, when you aim to just stay in the league, sometimes you will fall short."

Controversially Clark is of the opinion United should stick by Steve Bruce, even with Saudi riches set to flood Tyneside.

He thinks that while talk of Rafa Benitez, Max Allegri and Mauricio Pochettino is progressive, he believes fellow Geordie Bruce has earned the right to manage under new owners.

He said: "I would give Steve the chance to prove he can deal with the pressures of having a bigger budget. He will know the pressure that comes with that but I think he should be given the chance.

"This a results-driven business and will always be that. But I even look at Man City and they gave Mark Hughes the chance. I think Steve should get that opportunity."

Does Clark think the deal will finally get the green light from the Premier League this week? He’s hopeful, but is not counting on the top flight prioritising their Newcastle decision.

“I believe it is not high up on the Premier League's agenda,” said the former Huddersfield Town, Birmingham City, Blackpool, Kilmarnock, Bury, Blyth Spartans manager.

“They have a lot of other things on their plate as well as looking at everything involving the Newcastle takeover.”