Eddie Howe has revealed that Newcastle United are 'working as we were' until Dan Ashworth is appointed as the club's new sporting director.
Ashworth resigned as Brighton's technical director last month after being headhunted by recruitment firm Nolan Partners on Newcastle's behalf. Ashworth is currently on an extended period of gardening leave, but Newcastle hope to strike an agreement with the Seagulls so that the 50-year-old can start work as soon as possible.
Brighton are understandably not in a massive rush to essentially strengthen a rival while Newcastle's owners have previously made it clear in negotiations that they will not pay inflated fees for players. It is hard to see that stance suddenly changing to cut short Ashworth's notice.
