Former Toon chief slams outcast Ashley.

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FORMER Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has waded into the man who he sold the club to, telling Mike Ashley to stop being a "cry-baby".And Shepherd believes the club's fans could still get their wish and see their hero Kevin Keegan back managing the Magpies - for a third time.Shepherd has hit out at Ashley after the billionaire sports retailer announced late on Sunday night he was looking for a buyer. Ashley has become a hate figure amongst Newcastle fans following the resignation of Keegan just two weeks ago.

After initially ingratiating himself with the fans by sitting in the stands wearing a Newcastle shirt, Ashley has recently become an outlaw at the club he bought for $239million. Newcastle fans are angry at the treatment of Keegan, who resigned earlier this month in protest at not being given complete authority over transfers.Following a weekend of protests, Ashley announced he was looking to sell the club. The Toon owner insists fans are being unrealistic by demanding he spend huge sums of money in a bid to keep pace with rich kids Chelsea and Manchester City.However, Shepherd said:"What he paid for the club would not have bought half the stadium. He got a great deal. As far as the money is concerned, he should take the advice he is giving - and stop being a cry-baby. He seems to be whingeing."

Shepherd added that he had already been approached by two consortiums thinking of buying the club from Ashley, and is refusing to rule out a return to St James' Park - along with Keegan. "There are people who would buy the club, no doubt about that," he said. "I've been approached by two consortiums."I will take a bet that we have not heard the last of Kevin Keegan."I would definitely bring Kevin back. He is the guy for the job, the right guy to run the business."Meanwhile, Newcastle insist Alan Shearer has not been sacked as a club ambassador but confirmed the former striker's contract ended last season.Shearer has criticised the club over Keegan's departure. But the club said: "Any suggestion that Alan was stripped of this role because of recent events is completely inaccurate."

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