Crisis club Newcastle United have been rocked by a fresh blow with news that Mike Ashley’s trusted lieutenant and fellow board member John Irving is quitting.

The finance director is highly regarded within St James’ Park and is third in command behind Ashley and managing director Lee Charnley.

But Sportsmail understands that Irving has become frustrated with life at the club and will head to a similar role at Newcastle International Airport.

Newcastle finance director John Irving, pictured right with Mike Ashley, is quitting the club

The news comes as Newcastle's hierarchy revise budgets in fear of relegation from the Premier League

His decision to jump ship could not have come at a worse time with Newcastle’s hierarchy desperately revising budgets and financial plans in fear of relegation from the Premier League.

To make matters worse, Irving’s assistant David Gilroy is heading to Manchester City, leaving Ashley and Charnley to search for two senior figures.

Irving, a Newcastle fan, joined the Magpies seven years ago from Procter & Gamble. Having assumed more control after Derek Llambias’ departure in 2013, he was appointed last April to the board of directors which also includes Ashley and Charnley.

They, along with chief scout Graham Carr, make all of the key decisions at the club, and, given Ashley’s emphasis on budgetary control, Irving’s role is integral. He has a big say when it comes to transfer fees and wage demands of potential targets.

Ashley will now have to begin the search for two senior figures to join the relegation-threatened club

But all talks about summer recruitment are on hold given the club’s precarious league position. Should they beat West Ham on Sunday then they are safe, but failure to do so will leave them relying on Manchester United to get a result at Hull City.

Were they to be relegated they would have just 75 days before the Championship season kicks off to appoint a new manager and build a new squad.

It has all added to a growing sense of uncertainty, with morale said to be low throughout the club. Head coach John Carver does not know whether he will be kept on but has asked to be informed before he goes on holiday a week today.

Meanwhile, Newcastle launched their new home shirt yesterday morning — only for club sponsor Wonga to rebrand its logo hours later.

Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini models the club's new home kit which features Wonga's old logo

That means the design for next season will be out of date before Newcastle have had a chance to wear it, with its unveiling planned for this weekend.

The Puma-designed shirt was modelled by skipper Fabricio Coloccini, who looked less than pleased to be taking part in the photoshoot pictures which circulated yesterday.