The club ended the season in 16th place after Sunday’s 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal, and Pardew will face Ashley over the next 48 hours.
Speaking after the Arsenal game, Pardew said he was “pretty confident” he will still be the club’s manager next season, having already had words with the club owner.
And managing director Derek Llambias claimed Pardew would be allowed one “bad season” after the 51-year-old was handed an eight-year deal in September.
Pardew has underlined the need for further reinforcements, after bringing in five players in the January window, yet we believe Ashley hasn't been over impressed with some of Pardew's signings.
As Alan Shearer said last week: "The French players came in an there was an immediate improvement for three or four weeks, then they went off the boil.
"They certainly didn't improve results."
So the jury is out on Mathieu Debuchy, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Yoan Gouffran, Moussa Sissoko, Massadio Haidara, Kevin Mbabu and summer signings Vurnon Anita, Gael Bigirimana and Romain Amalfitano.
Debuchy is obvious class, and Mbabu and Bigirimana are youngsters coming through the system, but are these players any better than the stars that left - Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton and Jose Enrique?
What Ashley has decide is whether to trust Pardew on another spending bout, or bring in a manager with "winning experience" rather than bank on Pardew who has never won a trophy in his entire career as player or manager.
Pardew’s own tactics have come under scrutiny from fans, with some supporters - NU-MAD INCLUDED - having called for him to be dismissed in the wake of the gutless home defeats to Sunderland and Liverpool.
Can Pardew motivate the players?
Recent results suggest he is not the man for the job ... but will Ashley go with the man who kisses his arse ... or make a change with someone who doesn't lick his boots at every meeting.
Sadly, we think Ashley will stick with his little puppet.