NEWCASTLE United owner Mike Ashley's retailer Sports Direct has said its sales held well this summer despite seeing a huge boost from the World Cup last year.

The company posted sales of £368m in its retail division in the 13 weeks to July 25, up 0.8% on a year earlier despite sales of World Cup replica shirts sending revenues up by 40% last year.

But Sports Direct opened nine stores in the period - offset by two closures and two shop relocations. Its retail profits dipped 6.6% to £156m in the 13 week period.

Across the group, which has 350 UK stores and owns sporting brands including Dunlop, Karrimor and Slazenger, sales were 0.5% higher at £410m. Profits fell 5.7% to £174m.

Chief executive Dave Forsey said the summer’s trading kept the company on course to meet its full-year target for underlying earnings of £215m. This factors in the £2m paid to Dunlop-sponsored golfer Darren Clarke as a success fee for winning the Open Championships in July.