THE owners of the Newcastle Jesters ice hockey club are expected to begin talks with union bosses in the next week - more than a month after wages were due to have been paid.

The players and staff were last night still waiting for a combined cheque of about £50,000 for their February wages.

And they had been expecting their March pay packet yesterday, but that did not arrive.

Fablon of London, which owns the club, and its media rights arm The Eye Group, have so far declined to comment on the situation.

But Jo Collins, of the Ice Hockey Players' Association, said she had received a letter from club chairman Paul Smith regarding opening talks on the matter.

The Ice Hockey Superleague is considering disciplinary action against the club because of the delay, and may take action following the end of season play-off finals, this weekend.