Keegan's brutal honesty in the wake of Monday's defeat to Chelsea is understood to have angered Ashley.

And the pair will meet in London later today for clear-the-air talks, which will also be attended by chairman Chris Mort and executive director (football) Dennis Wise.

In the wake of the 2-0 defeat, Keegan had suggested he would not be getting the kind of financial backing he had expected this summer, and also hinted at frustrations with the structure put in place above him – headed up by Wise – to overseeplayer recruitment.

Sources close to Ashley have said Keegan will be reprimanded, but not dismissed, over his remarks.

However, Keegan – who said in his pre-Everton Press conference that he was "looking forward" to his meeting with Ashley – insists he will not be gagged, believing an honest dialogue with United's fans is an essential part of his job as manager of the club.

He said: "Part of my job as manager of Newcastle United is to tell fans what's happening at their club.

"Part of the media's job is to report it correctly, and keep it in context and not go off on tangents.

"I'll continue to do what I've always done while I've been manager of Newcastle United, and at Man City, Fulham, and England. I haven't changed.

"I'm not scared of saying what I think the situation is, and I won't change that."