Brighton to take on managerless Magpies after Emery rejection

The Magpies have been without a head coach since Steve Bruce's departure from the club by mutual consent on October 20.

Currently in charge of the team is caretaker boss Graeme Jones, who has overseen two games during his reign, a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace and a 3-0 loss to Premier League leaders Chelsea.

It was expected that Newcastle's new owners were going to appoint former Arsenal and current Villarreal boss Unai Emery, or at the least, he would have been in attendance to watch the match against Albion.

• READ MORE: Brighton defender Dan Burn could make quick come back

However, that deal has seemed to have fallen apart as the Spaniard has rejected the chance to become the new manager for the Magpies, after issuing a statement confirming he will stay at the Yellow Submarine.

The statement said: "For all the noise there was yesterday in another country, inside the club there was transparency and loyalty with the Roig family and with my squad, which is at its maximum and for me is the most important thing.

"Villarreal CF is my home, and I am 100 per cent committed. Honestly, I am grateful for the interest of a great club, but even more grateful to be here and that is why I communicated to Fernando Roig my decision to continue being part of this project, thanks to the commitment and respect that I feel from the club and my players, which is mutual and reciprocal.

"I want to thank the fans for the support they have given me always shown me. On Sunday we have a very important game, and I hope we can all together get victory. See you at the Estadio de la Ceramica."

It was believed that the new Saudi owners of Newcastle United had narrowed down their preferred choices to the 50-year-old Spaniard and to former AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe.

Former AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is in the running for the Newcastle job

If the Magpie's hierarchy does decide to push on with Howe, he could be in the dugout at the Amex, but will have only had a very limited time with the players.

Although, the Englishman will be familiar with striker Callum Wilson and winger Ryan Fraser from his time at the Cherries, which would make them probably starters against Graham Potter's men.

Newcastle's search for the successor to Bruce has been large as managers such as Antonio Conte, Roberto Martinez, Lucian Favre and even Albion's Potter have been linked with the job at St James' Park.

Albion heads, into the game on a high after coming back from two goals down to earn a memorable draw against Liverpool at Anfield.

• READ MORE: Brighton player's conditional bail extended after arrest

This will have helped the team get their confidence back after suffering a 4-1 Premier League defeat to Manchester City and a Carabao cup exit against Leicester City on penalties earlier in the week.

Newcastle, on the other hand, remains winless in the Premier League have lost six of their opening ten games, drawing the other four. The Magpies currently sit second from bottom in the table, only ahead of Norwich City by two points.