British tabloid The Sun reports that doctors have advised Joe Kinnear, the Newcastle United manager, to undergo a coronary artery bypass procedure.

The Irishman was taken to hospital last weekend after suffering heart palpitations prior to the Magpies' Premier League clash with West Bromwich Albion.

Initial reports claimed that 62-year-old had been diagnosed with high *lo**, and that he was determined to get back to work as soon as possible.

However, this latest news - if at all accurate - could spell the end not only of Kinnear's tenure at St. James' Park, but of his managerial career in general.

The former Tottenham Hotspur defender has a history of health problems, and in 1999 he was forced to step down as Wimbledon boss after having a heart attack before a league game against Sheffield Wednesday.

It must be mentioned, though, that these reports conflict with the line coming from Newcastle and Kinnear himself, who seems confident of returning to action by the end of the month.