Former Nottingham Forest director of football Frank McParland is set for a key role at Newcastle United following the Saudi-led takeover of the Magpies.

The £300million takeover of the north-east club went through earlier this week and it is set to signal major changes on and off the pitch at St James’ Park.

While the club must wait until January before they can flash their cash in the transfer market, key appointments behind the scenes are already being made.

One involves McParland, who had a brief spell at the City Ground in 2017.

He was appointed just before Mark Warburton joined the Reds as manager in March 2017. McParland also worked with Warburton at Brentford and Rangers.

He left Forest along with Warburton and his assistant David Weir after seven months when they were sacked in December 2017.

National media reports claim McParland will be brought back into the game as part of the "first phase of turning the club into a Premier League giant".

McParland, who will have a key role in recruitment at Newcastle, has also held roles at Liverpool, Burnley, Watford and Bolton Wanderers.