Joe Kinnear revealed today that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is in talks with eight prospective buyers.

Kinnear, appointed interim manager last Friday, knows his stay at St James' Park will be finite.

However, as efforts continue to push through a sale, the 61-year-old hinted he could be at the helm for a little longer than first thought.

Asked if his stay could be permanent, Kinnear said: "I don't think so, to be honest, because I know Mike is talking to eight consortiums — he told me that himself.

"Who the consortiums are, what they are, when any deal will happen, there is no time-scale on it.

"I am contracted for eight games, but I assume that should due diligence and the deals go on a little bit longer, it may run into 10 or 12 games."

It is understood prospectuses of sale — an official document detailing the club's finances — have been sent to seven interested parties with groups from Nigeria and South Africa the most prominent.