I like so many other veterans were contacted by a private financial adviser. We were promised good returns of 5-10 per cent a year and the opportunity to gain access to the funds at 55.

This is Money's pensions agony uncle Steve Webb says most people don't have to pay tax on savings income, although he dubs the system 'absurdly complicated'.

If she takes the £10k pot she is liable for tax. This seems very unfair as every other year before this and after she will earn a lot under the limit. Can't she share the excess over several tax years?

My husband is terminally ill now. Will I receive any of his state pension when he dies? This is Money's pensions columnist, Steve Webb, explains how the rules work according to a couple's ages.

What happens to my pension if the insurance company has serious financial problems or goes bump? Our agony uncle Steve Webb explains what happens to pensions that are bought out by insurers.

Documents lodged last week and made public on Tuesday appear to be laying the legal framework for a deal to proceed. Sources close to the club say it is proof of talks being advanced.

KIERAN GILL: Amanda Staveley could be about to become the new First Lady of Football. She is thought to have a personal fortune of £115m-plus, and is no stranger to the limelight.

EXCLUSIVE BY MIKE KEEGAN AND CRAIG HOPE: Sources have disclosed that all the necessary paperwork has been lodged, and that the potential deal now awaits their approval.

Steve Bruce was an unpopular choice to replace Rafael Benitez, but Sam Allardyce insists Newcastle must stick with the former Sunderland boss once the takeover is complete.

A huge £200million will be handed to Newcastle boss Steve Bruce by the club's prospective new owners as part of an ambitious plan to return the Geordie club to Champions League contenders.

Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik remains in talks over a new contract to stay at the club and reports linking to him an exit are 'only rumours', according to his agent.

Newcastle United managing director Lee Charnley has reached an amicable agreement with Amanda Staveley's Saudi-backed group that will see him depart St James' Park.

England cricket legend Andrew Flintoff has recalled how Newcastle boss Steve Bruce once bailed him out of a sticky situation at a restaurant after his credit card had maxed out.

The versatile left back had impressed for Rennes this season before the coronavirus pandemic halted play, helping guide his side to third in Ligue 1 with 10 matches remaining.

Both bodies have their versions of 'financial fair play' (FFP), with the Premier League limiting owner-subsidised losses to £105million over three years and UEFA limiting three-year losses to £26m.

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Oliver Dowden has been slammed for failing to intervene in the proposed takeover of Newcastle United by a Saudi-led consortium.

It is the news Newcastle fans have been dreaming about for years - a big-money takeover and the possible departure of Mike Ashley. But how does a deal actually happen? Our expert reveals all.

EXCLUSIVE BY CRAIG HOPE: Andy Carroll has beaten the mystery injury that was threatening to end his season - but is now sweating on the resumption of Premier League football.

The BBC, another key Premier League partner, has also complained to the European Commission about Saudi Arabia regarding TV piracy, which could scupper state's bid to buy Newcastle.

The £300m deal is awaiting the League's approval but that process is understood to have been held up given the complexity of broadcast piracy allegations against the Saudi state.

Haseeb Hameed and Joe Root's admirable resistance proved too little too late as England lost the third Test by eight wickets. Here, Sportsmail's Lawrence Booth takes a look at the talking points.

LAWRENCE BOOTH: England conceded their highest total in 983 Tests stretching all the way back to March 1877. India’s 759 for seven beat the 751 for five by West Indies in Antigua in April 2004.

England were skittled twice in 96.1 overs – the equivalent of just over a single day’s play. The last time they lost 20 wickets in fewer overs in a home Test was against Australia at Headingley in 2009.

Sportsmail's LAWRENCE BOOTH rounds up the best of the stats that came out of the action following West Indies stunning comeback victory over England on day five at Headingley.

England endured a day of humiliation as they were bowled out for just 58 in the first Test against New Zealand in Auckland. LAWRENCE BOOTH takes a look at some of the facts and figures

LAWRENCE BOOTH AT OLD TRAFFORD: Jos Buttler inspired England to a series whitewash after posting an unbeaten century in the final ODI against Australia on Sunday.

LAWRENCE BOOTH IN KANDY: England clinched a series victory over Sri Lanka on Sunday morning after taking the final three minutes in little over half an hour.

CRAIG HOPE IN COPENHAGEN: Christian Eriksen will find himself a marked man against Republic of Ireland on Friday night after angering his opponents last year.

Belgium stars Michy Batshuayi and Thorgan Hazard had a go at playing the bagpipes ahead of their clash with Scotland on Tuesday. The duo also dressed in kilts ahead of their Euro 2020 qualifier.

The Liverpool left-back was in the side which were brushed aside 4-0 by the Red Devils in a friendly at Hampden Park in September last year.

STEPHEN McGOWAN AT THE KING BAUDOUIN STADIUM: As manager of Scotland Steve Clarke can't wave his arms and turn water into wine. Coaching is his thing, not miracles.

Manchester United held formal discussions with Inter Milan over the 26-year-old Belgium striker in London on Thursday, although it's understood that no formal offer has been made.

The 33-year-old made his managerial bow for Anderlecht, but his tenure got off to a rocky start. Kompany was still afforded a rapturous response, although his team were jeered at full time.

Romelu Lukaku was 'bored' at Manchester United and needed to leave for his own happiness, according to his international boss Roberto Martinez. 

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY ROB DRAPER: The best coaches are always learning, sometimes even from their players. Vincent Kompany helped Martinez plot the downfall of Brazil at the World Cup.

Vincent Kompany says a lack of diversity within football institutions is part of the problem in tackling racism in the game. The Anderlecht boss has condemned fans who abused Romelu Lukaku.

Scotland captain Andrew Robertson has revealed that Steve Clarke's squad held their own crisis summit in the wake of last Friday's dismal home Euro 2020 defeat to Russia.

STEPHEN MCGOWAN AT HAMPDEN PARK: Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans made headlines by comparing a game against Scotland to playing San Marino. 

Romelu Lukaku has insisted he feels no pressure to score his 50th goal for Belgium after moving one goal from the milestone following his strike in a 4-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win at Scotland.

ADAM SHERGOLD: Gareth Southgate believes England's forward line is as exciting as any other team in the world. But how does his attacking options measure up against some of the world's best?

The former Ayr player has been selected for next month's European Championship qualifiers against Russia and San Marino after netting 15 goals in his first 12 games for his new club.

KAZAKHSTAN 0-2 BELGIUM: Michy Batshuayi and Thomas Meunier scored as Belgium beat Kazakhstan 2-0 away in their latest Euro 2020 qualifier.

Former Manchester City defender Omar Elabdellaoui is being lined up for a return to England by a string of Premier League clubs. Leicester and Watford are among the sides monitoring him.

Former Everton star Kevin Mirallas has opened up on his turbulent time with the Toffees, which included an awkward meeting with Aaron Lennon after a move to Tottenham fell through.

Troy Parrott is keeping his fingers crossed that he did enough on his Republic of Ireland debut to be involved in Monday night's Euro 2020 showdown with Denmark.

Going into the game, Finland were the only Nordic nation not to have played at a major tournament, but the 3-0 win secured their first passage, with the Sonera Stadium going wild.

Mick McCarthy says he is happier knowing Ireland have to beat Denmark on Monday to qualify for Euro 2020 - and he is considering using Spurs teenager Troy Parrott in the high-profile match.

If there is an edge to the game, then it comes from recent unflattering comments by the Danes about the Irish style of play. Now the manager intends to use those words as a motivational tool.

When Mick McCarthy says he would have taken this scenario on his reappointment then you really should believe him for this has been an ugly campaign even by Ireland's recent standards.

The Republic of Ireland take on Denmark in their final Euro 2020 qualifying game tonight at the Aviva Stadium. Follow all the action from the 7.45pm GMT kick-off with SAM MCEVOY.