NEWCASTLE United are hastily drawing up alternative summer plans after their proposed pre-season trip to South Africa was placed into serious doubt.

The Magpies had been planning to visit Cape Town at the end of July to compete in a three-season tournament with South African side, Ajax Cape Town, and Everton.

However, Everton have subsequently announced a series of matches in the United States, and the Insider understands that the South African tournament will not take place.

Despite attempts to secure additional sponsorship, it is understood that the finances of the proposed competition did not stack up with only one English entrant.

As a result, Newcastle are having to redraw their summer schedule for the second year in succession after a similar scenario saw a mooted appearance in the Vodacom Challenge fall through last summer.

It is now expected that the Magpies will travel to Portugal for two matches in early August, with Braga having been touted as potential opponents for one of the games.

Newcastle are also expected to travel to Championship side Blackpool for a friendly in late July.

**

DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK have confirmed their intention to apply for training camp status ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but they might not be the only club from the town hosting international teams ahead of and during the tournament.

The Insider understands that Darlington officials have been approached by members of the RFU who have asked them to make a formal application too.

English rugby's governing body were hugely impressed by Darlington's Blackwell Meadows facility when it hosted an under-18s game between England and Scotland in March.

England's under-16s are due to hold a training camp at Blackwell Meadows later this year, with Darlington keen to strengthen their relationship with the RFU.

That relationship could play a key role in helping to determine which North-Eastern venues are selected as official training camps ahead of 2015.

**

THREE North-Eastern cricket clubs have benefited from Sport England's latest round of funding awards as part of their 'Protecting Playing Fields Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Fund'.

The funding awards, which followed a record number of bids by sporting organisations, are part of a wider share of £3.5m in grant aid made possible by strong sales of National Lottery tickets.

The 27 projects involving cricket received sums ranging from £18,000 to £50,000, and the grants will be used to fund initiatives such as square renovation, improved drainage and levelling of outfields.

The North-Eastern clubs to have received awards are Alnwick CC (£49,122) and Bedlington CC (£50,000) in Northumberland, and Greenside CC (£50,000) in Tyne and Wear.

**

KEITH Lamb continues to climb the slippery pole of football politics, and the former Middlesbrough chief executive will play a prominent role in the Football League's appointment of a new chief executive.

The position, which involves the overseeing of the management and strategic direction of the organisation, will be advertised nationally in the near future.

Applications will be considered by a sub-committee of the Football League board comprising Lamb, chairman Greg Clarke, independent director Richard Bowker and Carlisle United's John Nixon.

**

THE press department at Epsom Racecourse was clearly in a cheeky mood yesterday.

Frankie Dettori made his return from a six-month ban for cocaine use, but failed to finish in the first three on any of his three mounts.

However, the Italian insisted he was satisfied with his performance given that he was still some way short of full fitness.

A few minutes later, The Insider received an official press release from Epsom. The headline? "Dettori positive after first day back."

**

POPULAR northern racing journalist Tom O'Ryan, who writes for our sister paper, the York Press, is in intensive care in Hull Royal Infirmary following a freak accident at his home near Malton.

O'Ryan broke his pelvis in two places and also suffered two fractured vertebrae and internal bleeding after being struck in the back by a flying fence post while cutting grass in a field.