[kennethlindheim]

Chris Mort is to step down as Newcastle chairman 12 months after replacing Freddy Shepherd.

It is understood the City lawyer, who took a year's sabbatical to spearhead owner Mike Ashley's vision for the future at St James' Park, could leave the club within weeks.

Mort has overseen the transition from the Shepherd era and a restructuring of the club.

He initially arrived on Tyneside to work alongside Shepherd, who had earlier sold his shares to Ashley to ease him towards a £134.4million takeover, but was quickly handed the reins as the former chairman ended his long association with the Magpies.

Newcastle have yet to confirm Mort's departure or reveal who will replace him, but Ashley's long-term associate Derek Llambias was this month made deputy chairman.

Chris Mort to step down as Newcastle chairman - Mirror.co.uk