Ashley to hold bid talks with Newcastle next week

Mike Ashley plans to meet the Newcastle board next week as he attempts to push through his takeover of the club. The sportswear tycoon bought a 41.6 per cent holding in the St James' Park club from the former chairman Sir John Hall and his family on Wednesday for in excess of £55m. Because of a fractured rib the current chairman Freddy Shepherd was out of circulation when news of St James' Holdings Limited's takeover bid, which would be worth £133.1m in total, broke.

But a board meeting has now taken place and Ashley has been invited to "an early meeting" next week.

City analysts believe that Ashley will not have any difficulty in reaching the 50 per cent-plus mark which was the condition of his 100p-a-share offer but Shepherd's decision - he holds a stake of 29.8 per cent - will be key to his hopes of acquiring the 75 per cent he would need to make full control almost inevitable.

Elsewhere, Leicester City have ended their search for a manager by luring Martin Allen from MK Dons. Allen, who led the Dons to the League Two play-offs, losing to Shrewsbury in the semi-finals, has signed a three-year contract.

In Scotland, Heart of Midlothian are pressing ahead with a £4m compensation claim by appealing to Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland against Fifa's decision to fine Andy Webster £625,000 for walking out on the club - which effectively allowed him to buy himself out of his contract.

The Scotland defender took advantage of Article 17 in Fifa's regulations for the status and transfer of players by leaving Hearts last summer to join Wigan.

He has since moved on loan to Rangers. The CAS will have the final say in the unprecedented case which will determine whether Webster's move has a long-term impact on the transfer market.

Cardiff City have made the Plymouth Argyle midfielder Tony Capaldi their first summer signing, on a Bosman free transfer.

Swansea City have fended off competition from a number of Scottish Premier League clubs to sign St Johnstone's Jason Scotland. The striker was thought to have been interesting Hibs, Hearts and Dundee United after scoring 26 goals last season.

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