Newcastle chief executive Chris Mort insists the board are fully behind manager Kevin Keegan as he bids to turn around the team's fortunes.

The Magpies have not won in seven matches since Keegan returned for a second spell at St James' Park and are just three points above the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.

Keegan's appointment, following the departure of Sam Allardyce in January, was greeted with much enthusiasm and Mort has no doubt he is the right man for the job.

Mort told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "Clearly Kevin wants to turn results around, that's what he has come in to do.

"It is disappointing but it will come. Kevin has got the players playing very well and I am sure the results will follow.

"He has come to a club that didn't change its manager in the middle of the season because things were going well. It wasn't going well and the team were playing poorly.

"Results reflected that and Kevin came in knowing it was going to be difficult to turn it round.

"That's what he's working on and he's got the team playing in a manner everyone in this part of the world appreciates."

Mort also says he has no concerns about Keegan's enthusiasm for the post.

Keegan enjoyed considerable success in his last stint at Newcastle but dramatically stood down in 1997 feeling he had taken the team as far as he could.

Three years later he also stepped down as England manager after deciding he was not cut out for the position.

Mort said: "There is no doubt or worry. Kevin is enjoying being back in Newcastle.

"He is clearly at home in the city and has been made very welcome. Once the football turns round I am sure he will be thoroughly enjoying it."

Mort has also dismissed suggestions the club have unsettled Keegan by going behind his back with the appointments of Dennis Wise and Chris Hughton.

"When we interviewed Kevin for the manager's position we said we wanted a particular structure in place with someone experienced working with the board, particularly on recruitment and developing the Academy," Mort said of the executive director's position taken up by Wise.

"At that time we had narrowed it down to two or three names and we gave those names to Kevin.

"He knew the structure and the individuals involved and we wanted to make sure he was comfortable with it."

Mort also pointed out Keegan was the man behind the decision to bring in Hughton.

"Kevin made the first call to see if he was interested," Mort said. "I got involved after Kevin and Chris had talked and Chris expressed a great desire to come and work at Newcastle United."

Wise has not relocated to the north east since being appointed but Newcastle are happy for him to be living in London.

Mort added: "He splits his time between Newcastle, London and whole host of other places.

"He is travelling Europe looking at players for us. His day job is not to spend time at St James' Park, it is to go off and watch players for us.

"I am perfectly comfortable with the way he is operating."

Mort took up his position last summer following Mike Ashley's takeover of the club.

There has been speculation that Ashley may look to sell but Mort insists he is keen to stay.

He added: "Mike doesn't get down - he enjoys his Saturday afternoon football and would probably enjoy it more if results were going well.

"He is fully supportive of Kevin and fully enjoys his football.

"We haven't sought anyone to buy the club.

"People have called us. People will say, 'Are you interested in selling Newcastle?' and the conversations don't go any further because we're not.

"Mike is the owner of the club and it will be his decision but he is not encouraging me to sell the club."