Mike Ashley in crowd for Newcastle United's FA Cup tie

Head coach Steve Bruce yesterday revealed that a transfer meeting was planned with Ashley.

Ashley has made a surprise appearance at St James’s Park, his first of the season, for the third-round replay.

Speaking yesterday, Bruce said: “(He) just wanted to come in and see if he could give us a hand.”

Newcastle lead 3-0 thanks to an own goal and strikes from Miguel Almiron and Matty Longstaff.