[kennethlindheim]

Mike Ashley set foot in St James’ Park today for the first time as his takeover of Newcastle United gathered pace.

The current board are now considering the 42-year-old’s £133million offer for the Magpies.

The meeting was expected to be on Friday afternoon and the sports tycoon wasn’t scheduled to be involved in the talks with the current board.

But in a surprise twist the billionaire turned up at Gallowgate to take part in a "useful and constructive discussion."

Freddy Shepherd was, however, absent from the showdown meeting with the current chairman represented by his brother Bruce Shepherd and reportedly other board members Steve Walton and Timothy Revill.

A full statement from the club said today: "Further to the announcement by Newcastle United PLC ("Newcastle United") on 25 May 2007, the Board of Newcastle United announces that there was a meeting with Mike Ashley and his team earlier today at which there was a useful and constructive discussion.

"The Board will now consider its response to the offer from St James Holdings Limited.

"A further announcement will be made in due course."

icNewcastle - Mike Ashley meets with board