Chris Hughton has confirmed that he will again assume control of first-team affairs at Newcastle United while the relegated club's ownership and management structures remain in limbo.

Newcastle’s squad return to pre-season training on Wednesday with negotiations still taking place regarding the sale of the club and Alan Shearer yet to be appointed as permanent manager.

While nothing is set in stone, Keith Harris, the executive chairman of Seymour Pierce, the investment bank charged with finding a buyer for Newcastle, is optimistic that an outline deal could be announced within a week. He is presently is in talks with two parties who have demonstrated the wherewithal to approach Mike Ashley’s £100m asking price for the club.

In the interim, no new players have been bought and none sold from the high-earning squad which was demoted in May, adding to the sense of stasis at St James’ Park. Hughton, who twice served as caretaker manager last season, will be assisted on a week-to-week basis by Colin Calderwood.

“Everything will be done properly with the group of players that is there,” Hughton said. “Everything going on outside of that has to stay outside of it.

“Whatever the situation will be, when it comes to the first day of pre-season training, the players will go through a good and correct programme for however long it is until someone takes over.

“The most important thing is that the players get a pre-season under their belts. Everything has to be done properly by the staff and players. Colin’s here in the short-term until we know what’s going to happen.”