
BACK IN CHARGE ... Chris Hughton
NEWCASTLE are set to put coach Chris Hughton in charge of pre-season.
Toon begin the build-up to the Championship in two weeks but owner Mike Ashley is unwilling to appoint Alan Shearer as long-term boss without the go-ahead from potential new owners.
Ashley wants £100million for the club but four interested parties are unlikely to make an offer until next month as they go through the club's books.
Hughton, 50, took temporary charge last season and will drill the squad until a solution is found.
ATLETICO MADRID are eyeing up a £4million swoop for Spurs flop Giovani Dos Santos.
The Spanish outfit want to give the out-of-favour striker a chance to revive his career back in La Liga.
The Mexican failed to impress after a £5m switch from Barcelona last summer and was even shipped out on loan to Ipswich.
SHEFFIELD UNITED boss Kevin Blackwell last night completed his £500,000 swoop for Watford midfielder Lee Williamson on a three-year deal.
Blackwell said: "Lee is a great addition to the squad with his ability to get from box to box."
League One NORWICH have snapped up out-of- contract Hartlepool central defender Michael Nelson, 29, on a free.
WEST HAM face a fight with Portuguese outfit Sporting CP for striker Felipe Caicedo.
The 20-year-old Ecuadorian is set to quit Manchester City. Hammers are lining up an offer but Sporting CP have also expressed an interest in the £8million-rated player - so City can auction him off to the highest bidder.
Agent Stephan Braendli said: "Sporting is an option."
PORTSMOUTH, Bolton and Celtic are in a tug-of-war over Hull star Sam Ricketts.
The £3million-rated Tigers defender, 27, has a year left on his current deal.
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