Shearer is expected to be named as manager once a deal goes through, but until then, Mike Ashley does not want the players to cause him more grief by talking to the newspapers.
Shearer demanded complete control over player retention and a sizeable transfer budget to rebuild the first-team squad before Ashley put the club up for sale last month and he will do exactly the same with the new owners.
One player Shearer will look to sell as soon as his appointment is confirmed is Joey Barton, despite the midfielder’s claim, through his agent Willie McKay, that he wants to stay at Newcastle.