Newcastle United have so far resisted calls to sack head coach Steve McClaren but it is likely to have only been a temporary stay of execution after he was summoned to a meeting on Tuesday.

Newcastle have been forced to act after they were sent an open letter from their own fans forum demanding the removal of McClaren.

The former England manager, who was on a scheduled day off on Monday, has told friends he still expects to lose his job and sources inside the club have also indicated to Telegraph Sport that they anticipate him leaving in the next 24 hours.

However, there was at least one key figure who has remained reluctant to sack the former England manager, which led to the delay.