And the former Magpies boss believes he could have kept the club in the Premier League had he not been forced to step down after heart surgery.

Kinnear is now recuperating after a triple bypass, and would love the chance to lead Newcastle back into the top flight if Mike Ashley's proposed sale of the club falls through.

He said: "I have gone from being bad to being much better than I was. I feel as fit as a fiddle. I love the game and am desperate to get back into it sooner rather than later. Mike knows I'm still available.

"I'm not sure how far down the road they are to selling it. If they don't, and haven't got anyone else, then I'd love to return. My opportunity would be to support Mike and Derek (Llambias)."

Newcastle won just four games under Kinnear before he took ill on the morning of the West Brom game in February, but he said: "I enjoyed my time up there. The run and the results I had were good."