NEWCASTLE NOTEBOOK: Dougie Freedman is leading the race for sporting director role, Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo is tempted by a move north... and Japan's National Stadium could host Magpies this summer

Dougie Freedman is down to the final three candidates for the role of Newcastle’s sporting director, and Notebook understands he is the preferred choice of some inside the club.

Sources have gone as far to suggest the job could be his to turn down, but nothing has yet been agreed.

Freedman currently occupies the same position at Crystal Palace and is also wanted by Manchester United. We understand there would be no issue over compensation.

However, while the interest from United would be for a recruitment role and working beneath a sporting and technical director, the remit at Newcastle is wider.

Freedman has an excellent reputation within the game and his signings at Palace include Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise. Newcastle hope to make an appointment in time for the summer transfer window.

TOKYO TRIP STILL ON HORIZON

If Newcastle do commit to a tour of Japan this summer, we understand they are in line to play at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

We reported last week how a friendly against Urawa Reds had been mooted, taking place at the Saitama Stadium, north of Tokyo, on July 31.

And we can reveal that the other game said to be under consideration is against Yokohama F Marinos at the 68,000-capacity National Stadium on August 3.

It’s important to stress nothing has been confirmed, so please don’t book travel, but it would appear the club are now pressing ahead with plans for Japan, as well as a European-based training camp.

ASHINGTON BOSS SET FOR TOON ROLE

Newcastle are set to appoint Ian Skinner as an academy coach working with the club’s Under-14s players, Notebook understands.

It was announced last month that Skinner would be leaving his role as manager of Ashington AFC. He took charge of his final game against Newcastle’s Under-21s this week, a 2-1 defeat for the Colliers in the Northumberland Senior Cup semi-final.

The well-respected coach has worked with the FA for 17 years and held a position in Newcastle’s academy between 2004 and 2006. His arrival will see Graeme Coulson move to take charge of the Under-15s.

Meanwhile, Nobby Solano has entered the world of non-League management after taking up the vacancy at Blyth Spartans. He had been interviewed for a role with Newcastle’s Under-16s.

TOSIN’S A WANTED MAN

Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo is wanted by Newcastle. The 26-year-old is a free agent this summer and he and his representatives are considering wide interest from home and abroad.

However, Adarabioyo is said to be aware of how Newcastle would see his role at St James’ Park and, according to sources, he could be leaning towards a move to the North-East, especially given the prospect of working under a coach like Eddie Howe.

MAGPIE MOVERS

The club’s training facilities will soon expand into Whitley Park next door, currently home to Northumberland FA and where Newcastle’s Under-21s play their home matches.

The FA are moving to a new venue at the end of the season and Newcastle are set to move in, with media staff in line to populate the building.

There is talk of a new press conference facility, too. 

Eddie Howe currently meets the media in a multi-purpose room connected to the indoor training pitch, which is also used by groundstaff and parents of academy players.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LADY ELSIE

Happy birthday to Lady Elsie Robson, who turns 90 on Saturday. The widow of the legendary Sir Bobby won’t be at Burnley to celebrate, but she does intend to be at Newcastle’s final home game of the season versus Brighton next weekend.

Lady Elise remains a regular match-goer at St James’ and continues to support Sir Bobby’s charity legacies.

She will be at Villa Sol golf course on the Algarve on June 8 to support the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation Golf Classic, which supports homeless children in Portugal, where Robson managed Sporting Lisbon and Porto.

Former Toon stars such as Shola Ameobi, John Beresford, Steve Watson and Steve Howey will play alongside other names from the footballing world including Gary McAllister, Jody Morris, Lee Hendrie, Paul Clement and Russell Osman.

TOON TEASER…

It’s Toon Teaser time… last week, ahead of the game versus Sheffield United, we asked you to name the eight players who have played for Newcastle in the Premier League and also appeared for the Blades (in any division). The answers were: Keith Gillespie, Des Hamilton, Ian Rush, Ciaran Clark, David Edgar, Wayne Quinn, Gary Speed and Carl Serrant. Although, I must apologise if you were left scratching your head over Serrant, as he never actually appeared in a competitive game during a loan spell at Bramall Lane.

This week’s question is… I’ll be lucky enough to be in Paris on Tuesday for the second leg of PSG versus Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semi-final. So, can you name the ELEVEN players who have played for Newcastle and PSG…

The answers will be revealed on Saturday morning on our new NUFC-dedicated WhatsApp channel. It’s free and is available HERE https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaOdzdEIiRp2LU3h4i2l