MIKE ASHLEY remains convinced that his first managerial appointment, Kevin Keegan, is the man to bring success back to Newcastle United after a fourhour meeting in London yesterday.

There had been fears on Tyneside Keegan was ready to walk away from St James' Park for a second time after being summoned to the capital following the stir he caused by comments made after Monday's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.

But he emerged from detailed discussions with his position intact and chairman Chris Mort has since labelled the gathering as both productive and constructive'.

Along with Ashley, Keegan and Mort, newly-appointed deputy chairman Derek Llambias, executive director (football) Dennis Wise and vice-president (player recruitment) Tony Jimenez were all in attendance.

And, while the manager's claims that Newcastle were a million miles' from challenging the top four were discussed, the basis of negotiations centred around a plan of action for recruitment this summer.

Keegan and Wise are thought to have sifted through a list of potential acquisitions, while the size of the budget aimed at attracting new players to the club was discussed.

The meeting is also thought to have brought up ways of trying to improve communication between Keegan and the Newcastle hierarchy, given how he also highlighted a lack of dialogue with the club's billionaire owner since taking charge in January.

What remains clear, however, is that the worshipped Magpies boss has no intention of changing his ways. Before the meeting, he suggested he felt it was his job to tell supporters the truth.

"Part of my job as manager of Newcastle United is to tell fans what's happening at their club,"

said Keegan. "Part of the media's job is to report it correctly and keep it in context and not go off on tangents.

"You can take the same phrase three different ways, and it can mean three different things. You know that. I will continue to do what I have always done while I have been manager of Newcastle United, and at Manchester City and at Fulham and with England.

I haven't changed. I am not scared of saying what I think and I won't change that."

The uncertainty surrounding the manager's position stemmed from his honest assessment of the Premier League title after Newcastle lost to Chelsea.

Tomorrow will see Newcastle take on Everton, a side in fifth place and with a desire to make the top four become a top five within the next couple of years.

Only yesterday Toffees boss David Moyes insisted he has the hunger and determination to deliver Champions League football to Goodison Park. Keegan, however, does not rate his chances.

"Everton are where we want to be," said Keegan. "As I said at my first press conference, if you turn this club around, whoever it is, it is like a big ship. When you turn it round, the momentum starts to go with you and it can go quicker than most clubs you know.

"You can shortcut challenges and to get from where we are to try and get sixth or fifth place next year, which was always going to be our aim. Normally it would be too much in one step but this club is one of the few which could do it in one step if everything is right."

But with Keegan intent on making the additions that will make Newcastle a challenger for a European place next season, he also realises there are numerous other clubs in exactly the same position - including rivals Sunderland.

"If you look at the bottom half of the table there will be us, Tottenham, possibly Sunderland, if they put the investment in," said Keegan. "Possibly Middlesbrough will be in there as well, if they put some investment in.

"I'd say Spurs definitely, Aston Villa and Everton will all be in there again."