Newcastle United must play the waiting game before giving incoming director of football Dan Ashworth the green light to get to work at St James' Park.
Ashworth resigned as Brighton & Hove Albion's technical director on Monday but was told he can't walk away from his current contract and must first go on gardening leave.
The Seagulls were left bitterly disappointed by Ashworth's exit and sources at the Amex Stadium have suggested he will be on gardening leave at least until his long-term successor is found, and potentially longer still as Brighton play hardball.
