Keegan Meets Ashley, Raising Possibility of St James' Return

Kevin Keegan and Mike Ashley were locked in talks in London earlier tonight, prompting suggestions that Newcastle United's former manager and the club's owner could be on the point of reaching a dramatic reconciliation. Bookmakers responded by slashing odds on Keegan returning to St James' Park as manager less than two weeks after he quit, complaining he was not allowed control over which players were bought and sold.

Ashley had been in New York when Keegan resigned following a row with Dennis Wise, Newcastle's director of football, and Derek Llambias, the club's managing director last week and today was their first face-to-face meeting since the former England manager's walkout.

It is understood they met in the afternoon at the offices of a London law firm with a view to discussing a severance deal but that the possibility of Keegan's return was mooted, leading to further talks this evening. They concluded shortly after 8pm and Ashley refused to comment on the discussions before being driven away.