Newcastle football club has promised manager Kenny Dalglish cash for more players - but the club is facing a spiralling wage bill. Salaries soared by more than £4 million sterling last year, the club's annual report yesterday reveals.

Newcastle now spend £15.4 million annually on wages for their staff of around 200, having spent £10.2 million the year before. Manchester United spend considerably more - £22 million for their 412 full-time employees - having had a 70 per cent rise on the year before.

Newcastle plc chairman Sir Terence Harrison says in the report: "Of the increase, £4.1 million relates directly to footballing personnel."