Newcastle United may ask Ben Dawson to lead pre-season training if they do not find a successor for Rafa Benitez this week.
Although, the club's search for a manager remains ongoing and the main focus at United is to get things in place for the new season.
The club's trip to China is looming but an intense summer fitness schedule has already been mapped out by United's remaining back-room team for the build-up to the Far East jaunt.
Dawson was supposed to be taking up a technical role at the club's Academy as head of coaches.
But the organisational skills of the former FA man may now be utilised at the senior end of the club's Benton HQ.
Dawson could be assisted by Neil Redfearn while goalkeeper coach Simon Smith is also still on board.
The Geordie coach led the reserves to a solid season last term and guided them to both the Premier League Cup final and the Premier League 2 play-off final, losing narrowly to Everton and Southampton respectively.
United would ideally like the situation sorted before China but a host of candidates have ruled themselves out of the job.
Big hitters such as Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger publicly stated they weren't in the running for the Toon vacancy while Patrick Vieira has since commented he is happy at Nice.
Newcastle know they would have to pay compensation packages if they wanted to bring in Man City coach Mikel Arteta or Burnley chief Sean Dyche.
