Kevin Keegan will meet Mike Ashley this morning for talks aimed at “mapping out” Newcastle United’s future. The manager, who has reiterated his long-term commitment to the club, can expect a reprimand over his recent comments but he, the owner and Dennis Wise, the executive director (football), will discuss transfer targets, funding and the separation of duties at St James’ Park.

A senior figure at Newcastle has confirmed that Ashley, who has played a hands-off role at the club, Keegan and Wise will sift through a list of potential acquisitions, the money available for new signings and how best to utilise the talents at their disposal. If there has been a lack of clarity concerning positions and communication, that will also be addressed.

While the gathering, which will take place in London at 11am, has been billed as “not a crisis meeting”, Keegan’s assertion last weekend that Newcastle are “a million miles” away from the “big four” clubs and his lack of input in their transfer policy or dialogue with Ashley has brought uncertainty back to Gallowgate.

The billionaire retailer is not enamoured with the publicity that Keegan’s statement has brought, particularly when he had, in fact, met the 57-year-old in the light of Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat by Chelsea on Monday. Keegan has welcomed Ashley’s participation in the discussions today as “a good thing”.

The context is paramount. Ashley has owned Newcastle for less than a year, Chris Mort, the chairman and a lawyer, is new to football, while Keegan’s appointment in January was closely followed by those of Wise, Tony Jimenez as vice-president (player recruitment) and Jeff Vetere as technical co-ordinator. With a new administrative structure in place, teething problems are inevitable.

Keegan has also expressed frustration at delays in opening contract talks with Michael Owen and Steven Taylor, but the club recognise the need for urgency. Ashley should also be aware that, with his choice of manager in place, supporters expect Keegan — who has transformed the mood — to be backed, financially and emotionally. In turn, the manager understands that planning is needed.

“I’ve never thought to myself, ‘What have I done by coming here?’ ” Keegan said. “I remember saying to Jean, my wife, after four or five weeks, when we’d not won a game, that there must have been a reason why I came back here and of course there is. It’s a great club with a great support and a great future. But the future needs to be mapped out and planned.”

The gap between Newcastle and Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool has not seen Keegan’s passion wane. “Definitely not,” he said. “The challenge is there for all of us. I have really enjoyed coming back to the club I love. It’s like a big ship; when it’s listing, everything is exaggerated and it is a major problem. But when you turn it round, the momentum starts to go with you and it can go quicker than most clubs.”