Newcastle have made an approach for Rafa Benitez as they consider alternatives to Steve McClaren, according to Sky sources. Sky Sports News HQ understands that although McClaren remains in charge, the club have made contact with Benitezs representatives about the Spaniard stepping in to try to salvage their season.Benitez is available after leaving Real Madrid in January, and sources close to him indicate he would have a qualified interest in the vacancy. McClarens nine-month tenure as Newcastle head coach looked no closer to being resolved on Wednesday night with the former England boss holding talks with managing director Lee Charnley on the phone in the afternoon.The pair were due to meet for talks at St James Park, but the planned face-to-face meeting did not take place. McClaren left the training ground after speaking to Lee Charnley on the phone After four days of silence from the Newcastle hierarchy, it would have been the first time the two had met since Saturdays 3-1 home defeat to Bournemouth which left the club languishing in the bottom three.A telephone conversation did happen and McClaren is set to take training on Thursday, with further talks expected afterwards.SSNHQ earlier learned the former Derby manager would not face the media for his weekly pre-match news conference, which had been scheduled for Thursday but was postponed. Newcastle fans reacted angrily to the clubs 3-1 defeat to Bournemouth McClaren has continued to prepare his side to face Premier League leaders Leicester on Monday Night Football despite intensifying speculation that he is about to lose his job.The clubs directors held a meeting on Monday, conducted without McClaren despite the fact he is also on the board. Former Chelsea and Liverpool boss Benitez tops a wish-list of managers who the club would like to put in charge should they decide to dispense with McClaren. Former Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes is also understood to be under consideration as a potential successor.The loss to Bournemouth last weekend increased speculation that McClaren could be relieved of his duties, with the team second from bottom in the Premier League with just 10 games remaining. Also See: McClaren future unresolved Benitez & Moyes on Newcastle shortlist Newcastles decision-makers Whats wrong with Newcastle? McClaren determined to stay Buy Adidas Basketball Shoes Online . -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar will be out for roughly four weeks after tearing his left hamstring. Adidas Nmd Wholesale China .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. http://www.cheapnmdsneakersireland.com/ .Y. -- Jayna Hefford scored the winning goal Friday as Canada survived a scare with a 4-3 win over Sweden at the Four Nations womens hockey tournament. Adidas Nmd Womens Ireland . JOHNS, N. Yeezy Powerphase Ireland . The players spoke Jan. 13 during a Major League Baseball Players Association conference call after Rodriguez sued the union and Major League Baseball to overturn an arbitrators decision suspending him for the 2014 season and post-season. NEW YORK -- Retired NBA star Kobe Bryant is moving to Wall Street, announcing the formation of a $100 million venture capital fund to invest in media, technology and data companies.The fund, known as Bryant Stibel, is being co-managed by investor Jeff Stibel. The two met through mutual friends, Stibel said.Bryant Stibel has already made investments in 15 companies, including LegalZoom and home juicing company Juicero, according to their website. The firm was founded in 2013, but is going public now with the retirement of Bryant from the Lakers.Stibel said the ffirm is focused on companies at all stages of growth.ddddddddddddWe are actively looking for great entrepreneurs, but we are in no hurry to deploy capital, he said.Bryant earned roughly $680 million in salary and endorsements during his 18-year NBA career, according to Forbes, and has been in the process of transition from professional athlete to businessman. Bryant created a company in 2014 called Kobe Inc. to help handle his image. ' ' '