Haven't read tonight's Ronnie yet, but they've got a headline screaming about Shearer being back in training. He is. As a bystander. He did kick a few balls, but tapped rather than use any force. Couldn't believe my eyes when he wandered out 1/2 way through training today and stood on the sidelines. Perhaps he's starting his coaching lessons early. Amazed to see him walking at all so soon after the op! Perhaps that's good news in terms of potentially seeing him back playing before the season is over.

Steph will post more of a training report later. She was far more coherent than me today. Blasted cold that won't go away has my head done in. She spoke to some of the players as they were coming in. I didn't want to really get too close for fear of giving them my cold. We don't need anyone else out of the squad! ;-)

Fairly full session, no mystery new signings, loans or triallists that I could see. Gallacher is back in full training. Still great at running around, but didn't do himself many favours in the shooting department. Then again, neiter did Louie(as John Carver kept calling him). Bobby did alot of work trying to get them to hustle with the ball and take fast shots when in the final third. A bit of piss-taking during the practice match when Griffin was givig one of the 'officials'(Steve Smith) a bit of lip when he didn't agree with a call. 'None of that, you'll be sent off for it!'. Couldn't see Dyer's reaction to that as he was buried in hat and fleecey top. As ever Barton the Geordie out in his shorts and training top.:-)

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2001

Answers

Despite not being a big admirer of Barton I have to say before the Leeds match he was warming up with a sweatshirt on.

He must have been told to put it on or put it on by mistake because no sooner than he was out on the pitch he took it off and gave it to a kid behind the goal. Nice touch Warren.

Look forward to a training report.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2001

I picked Ciara up outside SJP and drove down to Chester-le-Street. We had just parked and were walking over to the gate when a silver car with a familiar number plate pulled up. We were surprised to see Alan Shearer back so soon. I asked him how the knee was and he said it was fine. Most of the other players also stopped. Rob Lee drove right around the roundabout and stopped on the far side before coming in. Not sure if he was trying to avoid me or whether he had seen Ciara waving his book for him to sign! Saw Carl Cort for the first time for ages. He said he was hoping to be back for the Leeds game. Spoke to Acuna for the first time and also Luax2 who now has his own car.

We walked over to the training pitch where the 3 keepers plus coach Simon Smith were practising. They always start first and were practising kicking and catching the ball. The rest of the team arrived and started the usual jogging and stretching. No sign of Shearer, Lee or Cort but it was good to see Kevin Gallacher back in full training. Also Marcelino had apparently recovered from his fractured eyelash in time to take part. ;-)

They started on some ball work with one touch - quick turn - second touch - shoot. Some nice movement but also a few of them missing balls and shooting wildly. Glass looked good - hopefully he is now back as part of the first team.

They then split into teams for a practice game. Cordone was playing wide and getting in some good balls. Gallacher was full of running but not much else. Harper was shouting at his defenders 'no free headers' - one day they might listen to him! We then spotted a figure in tracksuit and trainers kicking a ball around by the far goal - you can't keep Alan Shearer away from the game for long. He seemed to be walking OK - no sign of a limp or any stiffness. He shouted at the players a few times and we could hear him laughing. However I wouldn't put him in your team pick just yet! ;-)

The game finished and they then started on some resistance training - at least that's what Ciara said it was. It looked to me like they were playing horses with one player running attached to a length of rope and the other one pulling him back! A bit of shooting practice and that was it for the day. No new injuries (thankfully) so it will be interesting to see who plays on Sunday.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2001

Great reports gals ladies. Hmm - Simon Smith eh? When can we expect the Amazing Dancing Bear to appear, and in what position? We need answers!

>>>>>He seemed to be walking OK - no sign of a limp or any stiffness.

Hmm, I thought the two were mutually exclusive. Just what sort of op did he have??? Again, we demand answers.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2001

The Ronnie reckons AS is already back working on the treadmill, and hopes to be back in two months.
The man is a bloody marvel, and I'm just hoping we can can get him fully fit and firing on all six cylinders so he can make quite a lot of detractors 'eat crow'.
We haven't seen the last of this blerk by a long, long way.
Get well soon Alan.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2001

There was also a young lad training with the first team called Colin. Just got the following from NUFC.com

>>Newcastle have completed the acquisition of 19 year old striker Colin McMenamin from Scottish non-league side Annan Athletic for an undisclosed (small) fee.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2001

He could find himself in the first team next week if Ameobi were to get injured tomorrow!

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2001

Soccernet has an article today about Shearer saying he fully expects to at the very least play out the remaining three years of his present Contract.

Interestingly, he advises that the present problem is with his left knee, and NOT the right knee in which he ruptured the cruciate ligament while at Blackburn. I've been trying to find this out for a while, and it is VERY good news.

He says they have removed a small section of tendon - damaged through wear and tear. While operating, they also examined the rest of the knee joint that they have indicated is just fine. He had the clips removed from the wound on Saturday, and has the OK to continue his rehabilitation with the FAC 5th Round tie on March 10 (I think) his comeback target - ever the optimist!

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2001

The fact that it was his left knee probably allowed him to play on that bit longer. The rest will do him the world of good!

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2001