Former Newcastle defender Jose Enrique believes that the uncertainty surrounding his old club is affecting the players.
The 25-year-old, who moved to Liverpool for £6m last week, has said thst the players are "nervous" after the recent sales of himself, Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll.
The Spanish full-back expects more players to leave as a result, with Joey Barton likely to be the next to move after he was recently told that he can leave for free.
"I have a lot of friends in the dressing room and they are a little bit nervous because they don’t know what the club is going to do," said Enrique.
"I think that is why everyone is leaving Newcastle.
"I think Joey Barton will leave soon. Andy Carroll left in January and it is really, really hard for the manager (Alan Pardew)."
Newcastle continue their Premier League campaign with a Tyne-Wear derby match against Sunderland on Saturday.