Newcastle chairman preaches prudence

Newcastle chairman Chris Mort insists club owner Mike Ashley will not overspend in an attempt to qualify for the Champions League.

Manager Kevin Keegan appeared to put pressure on his superiors by claiming he will not be able to lift the club into the top four of the Premier League next season.

But Mort warned the club could face long-term ruin if too much money is spent in the short term.

Mort said: "We don't want to do a Leeds. It doesn't make sense. This club had £100million-worth of debt which has now been cleared and it would be foolish to stretch it beyond its limits.

"I thought Kevin's comments were quite sensible. I'm not sure what people's expectations are but I don't think most Newcastle fans would be greatly surprised by what he had to say.

"There are those who are naturally optimistic but it does no harm to come out with some realism and say that if we get fifth, we will have done well. He's right."

But Mort's attitude is in contrast to the policy of Newcastle's owners during Keegan's first spell as manager.

More than ten years ago, the club had a reputation for spending huge amounts to sign world-class players as they battled with Manchester United at the top of the table.

This summer, Keegan has decided to release Stephen Carr, Peter Ramage and James Troisi, whose contracts are expiring.

The club appointed Dennis Wise as executive director earlier this year to help with dealings in the transfer market, but Mort insists Keegan will be heavily involved in the summer spending.

He said: "We have started talking about who we will be bringing in and Kevin will have the final say."

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