'The aspirations have to be higher': Jermaine Jenas hits out at Newcastle United's ambition under Mike Ashley

Steve Bruce’s men officially retained their top-flight status over the weekend, however, a few days later, fell victim to a 5-0 drubbing at Manchester City.

The defeat brought the Magpies back to earth following an unbeaten start to the restart - and prompted yet more focus on the Premier League’s impending decision on the Saudi-led takeover.

And Jenas, who spent three years at St James’s Park between 2002 and 2005, says his old club should be challenging higher up the league table.

"That's been the frustration of all the fans for so many years,” when asked about the club’s ambitions – or lack of – under Ashley.

"The Newcastle team I joined was finishing third and fourth, playing Champions League football - that is what the fans were used to seeing for a number of years prior to even myself joining the football club - a top football club in the league.

"It's a team that has been relegated on numerous occasions and bounced back - yes they've had a good season but the aspirations have to be higher for the football club.

"Watching that - yeah you can get beat by City but sometimes it's the way you get beat sometimes it's nor pretty. I think Steve Bruce will look back on it and it won't make him happy at all."