Sat 7th Nov - St James' Park, Newcastle
St James' Park: Possible bid
A consortium based in Nigeria is planning a bid to take over Newcastle United, according to reports in Africa.
Earlier this month, current Magpies owner Mike Ashley announced he was looking to sell the club following the criticism he has received in the wake of Kevin Keegan's resignation.
However, a buyer has yet to be found, with Ashley rumoured to be looking for a fee of more than £400million and Dubai International Capital recently ruling themselves out of the running.
But a Nigerian company claims to have £350million - and is bidding to secure the remaining funding which would improve its chances of a successful takeover.
Sky Sports News chief news reporter Bryan Swanson has also learnt that one of the Nigerian consortium's main aims would be to reappoint Kevin Keegan as manager.
Swanson has been told Keegan is a major part of their plans.
Chief Executive Officer of the NVA Management Chris Nathaniel, whose company are said to be handling the deal, told Kick Off Nigeria: "All along I have been working hard to get wealthy and football loving Nigerian entrepreneurs to buy the club since Mike Ashley indicated his willingness to sell the club to the person, people or entrepreneurs who can meet the £400million selling price of the club.
"Right now I am happy to tell you that well meaning Nigerians have responded and the consortium of Nigerian entrepreneurs has so far contributed £350million to buy the club.
"Ashley has stood his ground that he won't sell the club until the money is raised to the asking price of £400million.
"So what that means is that we need to raise another £50million or £100million to shut the door behind the other top Arab companies who are also interested in the club.
"The Arab companies have also indicated interest and made offers - but they haven't met the asking price too."
Meanwhile, Newcastle have confirmed that London-based investment bank Seymour Pierce will be overseeing the sale of the club.
Former Football League chairman Keith Harris, who is currently with Seymour Price, helped broker the takeover deals for Chelsea and Aston Villa in recent years and he is expected to head the search for Newcastle's prospective new owners.
A a statement released by the club read: "The Board of Newcastle United can today confirm it has appointed the London-based investment bank Seymour Pierce to act on the potential sale of the club.
"All matters relating to the sale of the club, including inquiries from interested parties, should go through Seymour Pierce.
"The club will be making no further comment at this time."

Hughton open to name change
Sheff Utd 0-1 Newcastle - Highlights
Llambias clears up stadium row
Clarke hits back at Bruce
Sheff Utd 0-1 Newcastle - Hughton
Sheff Utd 0-1 Newcastle - Blackwell
Sheff Utd 0-1 Newcastle - Harper
It's a secure Toon
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Monday 23rd November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Preston vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Swansea |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Watford |
| Wednesday 9th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Coventry vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 12th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Barnsley vs Newcastle |
| Sunday 20th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 13:00 | Newcastle vs Middlesbrough |
| Saturday 26th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 12:45 | Sheff Wed vs Newcastle |
| Monday 28th December | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 17:20 | Newcastle vs Derby |
| Saturday 9th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Reading vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 16th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs West Brom |
| Monday 18th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Newcastle vs West Brom |
| Wednesday 27th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Newcastle vs Crystal Palace |
| Saturday 30th January | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 17:20 | Leicester vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 6th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Cardiff |
| Tuesday 9th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Derby vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 13th February | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Swansea vs Newcastle |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 7th November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 3 - 1 Peterborough | |
| Monday 2nd November | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Sheff Utd 0 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 24th October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 2 - 1 Doncaster | |
| Tuesday 20th October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Scunthorpe 2 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 17th October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Nottm Forest 1 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 0 - 0 Bristol City | |
| Wednesday 30th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 1 - 1 QPR | |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Ipswich 0 - 4 Newcastle | |
| Tuesday 22nd September | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Peterborough 2 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 3 - 1 Plymouth | |
| Wednesday 16th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Blackpool 2 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Sunday 13th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Cardiff 0 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Monday 31st August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 1 - 0 Leicester | |
| Wednesday 26th August | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Newcastle 4 - 3 Huddersfield | |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Crystal Palace 0 - 2 Newcastle | |
| Wednesday 19th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 1 - 0 Sheff Wed | |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| Newcastle 3 - 0 Reading | |
| Saturday 8th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| West Brom 1 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Sunday 2nd August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Dundee Utd 1 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Wednesday 29th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Newcastle 0 - 0 Leeds | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newcastle United | 16 | 33 |
| 2 | West Bromwich Albion | 16 | 31 |
| 3 | Cardiff City | 16 | 27 |
| 4 | Queens Park Rangers | 16 | 27 |
| 5 | Blackpool | 16 | 27 |
Sunderland fan Lucinda Gittins was strutting her stuff in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Catch every game, every goal from the Championship this season... right here on skysports.com!
Peter Beagrie expects a contrast of styles when Cardiff and Swansea clash at the Liberty Stadium.
Newcastle winger Jonas Gutierrez insists that he wants to remain at the club and get them back in the Premier League.
Frenchman David Ginola told Goals on Sunday just what it means to pull on the black and white shirt.
Chris Hughton was delighted after Newcastle's easy victory, while Darren Ferguson believed Peterborough were beaten by the better side.
Newcastle continued their charge back to the top flight with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Peterborough.
Newcastle and West Brom continue to set the pace at the top of the Championship table.