Newcastle United are reportedly lining up a return to St James' Park for former manager Kevin Keegan should their proposed takeover go through.

Amanda Staveley's P.I.F consortium are currently awaiting the Premier League's ruling on their proposal to buy the Magpies, with a decision expected in the coming weeks.

The Mirror reports that the new owners are keen to generate goodwill early in their tenure and plan to hand an olive branch to Keegan by offering him an ambassadorial role.

Keegan is a popular figure on Tyneside having spent two stints in charge of the club, in addition to a two-year spell as a player towards the end of his career.

The two-time Ballon d'Or winner was nicknamed 'The Messiah' by the Newcastle fans, but he second spell as manager came to a premature end after he fell out with unpopular owner Mike Ashley.

Keegan vowed never to return to St James' Park while Ashley was in charge, but the sale of the club would give him the opportunity to return and the new owners are keen to take advantage of his popularity.

In total, Keegan took charge of 273 games as Newcastle boss, winning 145 of them.