Toon chairman Freddy Shepherd has informed the press that he intends to invest in playing staff in the transfer window this summer. The news will no doubt delight the Newcastle faithful, who made their feelings heard after the home defeat to Manchester City at the weekend.

Glenn Roeder will be able to make his mark on the Newcastle squad, by bringing in a few new faces and get rid of the dead wood from the wage bill.

Shepherd told the evening chronicle “The squad will be strengthened in the close season”.