Ashley is said to be furious with those he appointed to run the club for him, but has also said it is up to Charnley to make a decision on whether McClaren is sacked.
Charnley spent yesterday speaking to Ashley, chief scout Graham Carr, public relations advisor Keith Bishop and club ambassador Bob Moncur to weigh up the decision.
However, there is at least one key figure who has remained reluctant to sack the former England manager, which led to the delay.
That is thought to have been managing director Lee Charnley and McClaren could be asked to take training today before he is summoned to a meeting at St James' Park in the afternoon.
係得一個人唔想炒,就係當初決定請 McClaren 果個 Charnley……
不過佢而家貴為 Managing Director,所以除非 Ashley 介入,唔係的話都係會決定唔炒的……