Dan Ashworth may be finally able to put down his trowel after Newcastle United reopened talks with Brighton.
Ashworth, of course, was put on gardening leave by the Seagulls after resigning as technical director last February to take up a new role with Newcastle, but his notice period does not run out until November. Although Newcastle's owners are determined not to be held to ransom by Brighton, it is easy to see why the Magpies have made a fresh attempt to bring in Ashworth at an earlier date.
Newcastle will spend bigger sums on players this summer, but Ashworth would be the club's most important addition if he is to arrive in the coming weeks. This is the man, after all, who will create a structure and establish an overarching philosophy in the medium to long-term as he oversees the men's first team, the women's team, player recruitment, the academy, medical and sports science, and the loan department.
