Ken Bates eased Dennis Wise's path to Newcastle yesterday afternoon and is set on a swift appointment with Leeds' League One season at a crucial stage.
Wise, who is set to take up an executive management role at St James' Park, prepared United's squad for the final time today ahead of this evening's meeting with Southend, but he will not be in the away dug-out at Roots Hall and will leave the managerial duties to assistant boss Dave Bassett and first-team coach John Gannon.