Keegan confirms talks with Ashley

LONDON (Reuters) - Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan will meet the club's billionaire owner Mike Ashley on Friday to discuss the club's future prospects.

Keegan, holding his pre-match news briefing before Sunday's final Premier League game of the season against Everton a day earlier than usual, told reporters he was meeting Ashley in London.

"The reason we have held the press conference a day early is because I am going to London tomorrow to talk with Mike Ashley so that is a good thing. I'm looking forward to that," he said on Thursday, refusing to be drawn any further on the subject.

Ashley has been widely reported to be angry following comments Keegan made after Newcastle's 2-0 defeat by Chelsea in the Premier League on Monday.

Keegan said Newcastle were "a million miles" away from joining the top four clubs in the league and complained he had no proof yet that he would receive the financial backing required to break into the top four.

MOST BORING

He also said the Premier League was becoming the most boring in the world, with the same clubs finishing in the top four every season.

Keegan said he stood by the words he used on Monday, adding: "I was asked how far away are we from Chelsea, and I said, 'a million miles' and I stand by that.

He said thousands of fans of most other teams would agree their clubs are unlikely to break into the top four either.

"What I expressed was my view," added Keegan. "I know people might be disappointed by me saying we might not win the league, but there would be a real danger of me being whipped off to the old nuthouse if I started saying that.

"There is a big gulf and it has been well documented, not just by myself but by many, many other people in the game whose opinions are respected."

Keegan returned as manager in January and after a poor start, when the team failed to win for nine matches, their form has improved recently and Monday's defeat ended a run of seven unbeaten matches. Newcastle are 12th in the standings.

(Editing by Peter Rutherford and Ken Ferris)