Briatore begins legal action against the FIA on Tuesday to overturn his life ban from motor racing which, if he fails, could see him fall victim to the Football League's 'fit and proper person's test.'

There are concerns that if the Italian fails then co-owners Bernie Eccleston and Lakshmi Mittal may follow him out of the club, but Magilton insists the uncertainty will not affect their promotion bid.

"Mr Briatore pays me to do my job which is to look after results on the pitch," he told the Evening Standard. "What is happening with him at the moment is completely separate and I have been assured it is business as usual whatever happens.

"My own philosophy is about working with the players. I don't think we have seen the best of them yet so we are still very much a work in progress. I am very happy to do my job here and they let me get on with it.

"If I think we need strengthening in January, I will go to the board and Mr Briatore, who would generally help with these things."