In a development that illustrates the austerity now in force at Newcastle United, members of the first-team squad will be obliged to pay for their own club suits from the beginning of next season.

Mike Ashley, Newcastle's owner, did not become a billionaire through needless extravagance and, having wiped out the club's £70million debt last summer, he is now implementing a series of cost-cutting measures.

A soaring wage bill is being tackled, and younger, hungrier players are being pursued in the transfer market.