Newcastle United boss Steve McClaren has revealed that he has had just one meeting with owner Mike Ashley.

The businessman has handed over the running of team matters to managing director Lee Charnley, who appointed McClaren in the summer.

According to the Shields Gazette, when asked if he was regularly in contact with Ashley, McClaren said: "I met him once before the Borussia Monchengladbach [friendly] game.

"We had 10 minute's chit-chat, mostly about [his business] Sports Direct and how it makes so much money and how he's turned this club around in eight years to be in profit and for us to spent £50m and not sell our best player in the last two days of the window."

The Magpies, who are yet to win a game this season, will take on West Ham United this evening.