"Fit as a fiddle" Kinnear wants Toon return

Former Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear has been given the go-ahead to return to management and has set his sights on possibly taking over again at St James' Park.

Chris Hughton is currently back in charge on a caretaker basis and Alan Shearer remains very much in the frame, although Kinnear, who was forced to vacate his post in February for a heart operation, insists he would love to be given another chance now he has his health back once again.

"I've gone from bad to being much, much better than I was. I've got the all-clear," Kinnear, whose appointment at Toon boss in October to replace Kevin Keegan shocked football, told Sky Sports News. "Things are working out well for me. I feel as fit as a fiddle.

"I love the game. I'm desperate to get back into it. It just depends where and when. I just hope it happens sooner (rather) than later."

The 62-year-old continued: "My contract was up at the end of the season. (Current owner) Mike (Ashley) knows I'm still available. I'm not sure how far down the road they are of selling it.

"I spoke to Mike last week. He told me he has people very much interested in it and maybe the decision for me to go back there is away from him, because obviously new owners might come in.

"Obviously if they don't and they haven't got anybody else I thoroughly enjoyed my time when I was up there. I thought I did well up there. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the people. I enjoyed the team.

"I'm pretty sure that the run I got the team on at the time, it would have seen us through, but it's a bit late for that now.

"My opportunity would be to support Mike and (managing director) Derek (Llambias). They are the people who gave me the job in the first place. If it does come, with the same scenario as last season, then I'm ready for the right."