NEWCASTLE UNITED are heading for another week of uncertainty.

After five days’ training at Newcastle’s County Kildare base, caretaker manager Chris Hughton will oversee the Magpies’ first pre-season friendly of the summer against Shamrock Rovers.

According to Hughton, preparations for the fixture have gone as planned and the squad is injury-free, but owner Mike Ashley is still suffering as he remains some way from selling the club.

An American consortium and one from Malaysia are thought to be the two leading candidates to take control at St James’ Park, although neither have yet agreed a sale.

But the Singapore-based Profitable Group had confirmed it has made an offer after issuing a statement in South-East Asia.

Former Liverpool midfielder Steve McMahon, the company’s commercial director, said: “We’ve had a bid, it’s under serious consideration.

It’s a strategic move and it’ll be great for the group and for Newcastle.”

Ashley is still hoping to recoup £100m of the money he has invested in Newcastle, but Profitable’s offer is thought to be considerably short of that figure.

After Newcastle’s managing director Derek Llambias confirmed last week that there had been two bids worth £100m, it would seem unlikely that Profitable will emerge as the club’s new owner.

The front-runners – remaining unnamed because of the non-disclosure agreements they signed – are scrutinising the finer details of Newcastle’s finances.

The consortia are determined to make sure there are no surprises should they take over from Ashley, and that continues to delay things.

Hughton does not expect to be still in the caretaker role at the start of the season on August 8, but the next permanent manager will not have much time to recruit the players he wants.

Hughton, though, is concentrating on trying to make sure the existing playing staff are in the best shape for whoever does step into the manager’s seat, with Alan Shearer still the most likely candidate.

“We’ve had no injuries and the lads are in far better shape now after five days of intense training,” said Hughton.

“They can’t wait for the game on Saturday and we are hoping everyone comes through OK.”

Obafemi Martins is unlikely to figure this afternoon as he is still recovering from groin surgery.