Newcastle United supporters have held a protest over the running of the club ahead of their side's meeting with Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon.

The Magpies' Supporters' Trust suggested that as many as 16,000 fans could boycott the Premier League game, citing what they perceive to be a lack of ambition by owner Mike Ashley.

It is not yet known how many of those outside the stadium will make their way into the ground upon kickoff at 4pm, although the early signs suggest that the vast majority of St James' Park will remain empty throughout.

Newcastle boss John Carver insisted earlier this week that fans were more than entitled to stay away following a run of five successive defeats.