A Malaysian move to snap up Newcastle could have a major impact on the development of football in that country.

That is the view of the nation's sports minister, Datur Ahmad Shabery Cheek, as interest in the club from the Far East hots up.

He said: "We should be proud if it really happens that a Malaysian is involved in such a huge transaction.

"It's not impossible and I hope it goes through. It can have a big impact on the development of Malaysian football."

The minister's comments came after representatives from a Malaysian consortium looking to buy the Magpies visited the club for a second time yesterday.

Their identities remain a mystery, as do those of the groups against which they are competing to seal a £100million takeover from current owner Mike Ashley.