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Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has promised Toon backroom staff a £1million bonus if today ends with victory against Arsenal – a pledge with massive implications for the race to finish fourth, writes the Sunday People.

The cash is set to be shared among the unsung heroes of St James’ Park – from tea lady to kit man – and while the players will miss out, the pledge has them 100 per cent motivated for today’s final-day showdown.

That will be music to the ears of Spurs, who will seal the final Champions League spot if they beat Sunderland and Arsenal fail to secure three points on Tyneside.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew suggested earlier this week that his team may not be fully committed to the final game of the season now that survival has been secured.

But the big-hearted gesture from Ashley – thought to be a Spurs fan – has completely changed the Champions League picture.

Ashley knows that the difference between victory and defeat could amount to £5m for Newcastle.

If results go their way they could finish 10th and pocket around £8m in Premier League prize-money.

Defeat, however, could see them finish 17th – with £5m less.

Toon stars like Hatem Ben Arfa spoke this week of their hopes for next season when they expect Newcastle to be challenging for Europe again – but now, with Ashley ready to splash the cash, they are under pressure to perform one last time for the benefit of their lower-paid colleagues.

Ashley dropped by the club’s training ground at Benton in his helicopter on Friday to let staff know of his offer.

A delighted Toon employee told Sunday People Sport: “We were absolutely gobsmacked when we were called into a meeting with Mr Ashley and absolutely stunned when we heard his plan.

“It would be like winning the lottery for most of us.

“And we have every confidence the lads will see off Arsenal.”