Mike Ashley has ruled out selling Newcastle United this summer.

Speaking ahead of Newcastle's make-or-break final day match with West Ham at St James' Park, Ashley said he will 'continue the policy of investing in the football club' and said they are not for sale "at any price".

The club have not won any silverware in 46 years and disgruntled supporters will certainly take Ashley's comments with a pinch of salt following several seasons of decline.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Ashley said on Newcastle's desperate situation: "I can't really have really imagined it from Christmas.

"I probably didn't anticipate we would probably be even near this situation so obviously after the last couple of weeks I'm still a little bit shocked by where we find ourselves today."

Under the stewardship of interim manager John Carver, Newcastle have lost 13 of 19 matches and slipped from 11th place to 17th with one match left to play.

Ashley took responsibility for the dire situation but said: "The only positive is we've got the club on a very sound financial footing.

"We are able to spend relatively and punch above our weight now with the current situation the club finds itself in."