Graphic: Strugglers battle for respect

Twenty days after Kevin Keegan's resignation, Newcastle United's first-team squad remains in a state of limbo. With a new manager yet to be appointed and the club up for sale, no member of the hierarchy has addressed Chris Hughton and his players about the parlous situation at St James' Park. Few have even been on Tyneside.

It is understood that the issue of Keegan's replacement was put on hold last week while Mike Ashley, Dennis Wise and Derek Llambias unsuccessfully attempted to find investors in the Middle East. Now, having engaged Keith Harris, the chairman of Seymour Pierce, the investment bank, to help to sell the club and having had firm interest from potential buyers in China, the recruitment of a new manager will be addressed in the aftermath of this evening's home Carling Cup third-round tie against Tottenham Hotspur. The attendance may not reflect it, but it is a match of magnitude for both teams.

With the position at the club so uncertain, Newcastle's focus on the managerial succession has shifted since Ashley announced his decision to leave, from hiring an acolyte of Wise - Gustavo Poyet, Paul Ince or Didier Deschamps - to finding an experienced candidate to lift the confidence of the team. Men such as Terry Venables, Gérard Houllier and David O'Leary have been mentioned.

Wise is expected to visit to the training ground today - most players will be absent, resting in preparation for this evening's match - but the executive director (football) has refrained from speaking to Newcastle's senior professionals. While that would not be unusual under normal circumstances, these are anything but and the confidence of the team has suffered.

Stories that players such as Michael Owen and Joey Barton were offered for sale on transfer deadline day have heightened the sense of confusion at Newcastle. “It is difficult for everyone at the minute, the players included,” Owen, the captain, said yesterday.

Steve Harper, the goalkeeper, rejected suggestions that many players wish to move elsewhere. “I've not heard one say that,” he said. “There are no splits in the camp, no rumblings.”

Yet the lack of communication from Ashley, Wise and Llambias has continued. “Not picking up the results is hurting the players,” Owen said. “We are as much in the dark as the fans as to the next move. It does not make it any easier as Kevin Keegan was very popular with the players and the fans.”

Hughton, who will continue as caretaker-manager against the club he served as a coach for 15 years, has been given no indication of how long he will stay in the role. “I haven't been told anything,” Hughton said. “I haven't spoken to anyone since before the West Ham game [last Saturday]. ”

Harper spoke for the first time about the effect Keegan's departure has had. “I think the world of Kevin and it was great to see him come back,” he said. “He gets the best out of players. That's his best quality and he is a great man.

“Whenever a manager leaves, it is difficult for players, whether you love them or hate them, like or dislike them. It puts players and coaches in a period where they just don't know what is going to happen or who the manager will be. At that time, as a group of players and coaches, you have to try and get on with the job.”

Newcastle may be next to bottom in the Barclays Premier League, but Tottenham are below them and Jermaine Jenas, their former Newcastle player, said yesterday that “it's definitely fair to say” that Tottenham have regressed since their Carling Cup success last season.

Will they get a better chance to reinvigorate their campaign than by opening their defence of the trophy against a club who appear to be in a more depressed state than themselves? “They could say the same thing about us on the pitch,” Jenas said. “Things are not exactly as we would like them. They'll be looking to put matters right and we will as well. It's a huge game. At the moment, every game is like a cup final for us.”

As Juande Ramos, the Tottenham head coach, attempts to instil a renewed belief in his squad, Jenas sees no signs of stress in the Spaniard. “He's remained upbeat,” Jenas said. “He's making sure our spirits are high and that we're working hard to become the team he believes we can be.”