The Daily Mail says while Jol attempted to dismiss his rift with Dimitar Berbatov, the manager is believed to have lost the confidence of three of his four strikers.

Jermain Defoe, who refuses to sign a contract extension while Jol remains in charge, did not even travel to St James' Park and Darren Bent has scored only once in the League since arriving from Charlton.

Michael Dawson has lost his place in the England set-up after a disastrous start to the season and, with the honourable exception of Robbie Keane, the rest of the team appear to be living on their nerves.

Jol's relationship with Berbatov - clearly unhappy at being a substitute against Newcastle - is another area of concern and their dispute can be traced back to their opening day defeat at Sunderland.

Berbatov sulked after he was substituted following an appalling performance and he barely lifted a leg in the subsequent 3-1 defeat at home to Everton.