Freddy Shepherd plays the waiting game

Jul 5 2009 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

Having eyed Coloccini, Sevilla have now expressed interest in Martins but could pay him only £40,000 a week – barely half what he is on at St James’s Park.

Even with Owen and Viduka moving on at a yearly saving of £9m, Newcastle’s annual wage bill still stands at around £65m.

It is inconceivable that revenue in the coming year, with Championship football looming gloomily on the horizon, will match that figure.

All the while, Alan Shearer maintains a frustrated watching brief as the saga drags on.

Shearer knows he is a shoo-in for the Magpies’ manager’s job if Shepherd takes control, but is waiting for confirmation that he would be the preferred appointment of another buyer.

Fortunately for Newcastle, the BBC are putting no pressure on Shearer to make a quick decision on whether to commit himself to his Match of the Day pundit’s role next season, although they would like him on board.

Meanwhile, Viduka, whose United contract expired last week, has received offers from two Premier League clubs as he looks to stay in England and clinch a place in Australia’s 2010 World Cup squad.

Viduka’s agent Steve Kutner, who would not comment on talk of interest from Fulham, said: “Mark is mulling over two offers from two very good sides.

“His reason in continuing to play on at the top level in England is to make sure he is there in South Africa. He’s feeling fit again and he’s hungry.”