Rivals Sunderland will slash their wage bill by 40 per cent if
they end the season in the bottom three. But Sport of the World has
learned that top earners like Oba Martins and Damien Duff have
deals that will see their £3million-a-year deals hold
firm.
Jose Enrique, Alan Smith and Fabricio Coloccini are also on
£2.5m-a-year contracts. Those salaries would cripple the club and
could lead to a firesale if the Magpies do get relegated.
Michael Owen, dropped for yesterday’s clash with Arsenal and
upset at the decision, will also walk away. City sources believe
the club’s value will be halved to around £125m if they crash out
of the Premier League.
Meanwhile, owner Mike Ashley has assured staff that Joe Kinnear
will be back at the club next month.
Newcastle
04 April Chelsea
(H)
11 April Stoke
(A)
18 April Tottenham
(A)
27 April Portsmouth
(H)
02 May Liverpool
(A)
09 May Middlesbrough
(H)
16 May Fulham
(H)
24 May Aston
Villa (A)