I don't want to see him out there until he is 100% fit and preferably after at least one reserve team outing!

Alan Shearer believes that he is ready to return to first team action after declaring himself fit and wants to face Southampton on Sunday but Bobby Robson will have non of it.

Shearer has been out of action since an operation on his knee just after Christmas, which along with the absence of Carl Cort and Kevin Gallacher saw the emergence of Shola Ameobi as his ready made replacement. So well in fact has Ameobi done, in the absence of Shearer, that Newcastle find themselves sitting in 6th position in the Premiership and contemplating European qualification.

Although the return of Shearer would be a huge boost to the side Robson is loathe to risk his centre-forward and skipper by letting him return too early, so he is not likely to play on Sunday.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

Answers pagey thing.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

Dont see the need to rush him back. Take it easy, a few reserve games and then appearances on the subs bench. Imagine the boost players and fans would get if he came on for the last 20 minutes etc to regain his touch and match fitness. After the CHewssee game we have a long run of what can only be described as winnable games. AM

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

Still the worry of him getting clogged by some 4th rate reserve defender on a cold Kingdston Park evening.....

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

Kingdston Park

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

Aren't Soton one of the teams he hasn't scored against? Whatever, he shouldn't be picked. He has to earn his place ;-))

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

bless his little pig-head.

Would be an excellent wind-up if Bobby called him, sat him down, then explained that he'd lost his place to Shola, but if he does well in the next few matches at KP.....etc. >:-)

Seriously, good news that he's on his way back. Hopefully Bobby won't rush him back though. Maybe a sub appearance on Sunday to give everyone a lift and ease him in.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

He scored 2 against Soton in that misleading purple patch we had when Gullit first joined and we beat them 4-0. He also scored from a pen in that "why does the rain always fall on me?" game at the Dell last season.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

And what did he have for breakfast on each of those days???? OK, so which EPL teams has he not scored against?

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

Arse.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

...at Highbury anyway.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

He's scored against Arse at SJP (blinding free kick last season to name but one and also his famous youthful hattrick at the Dell). I think he'd struggled against Blackburn until his two last season... otherwise, I think he's done em all at times. Screach - I think he ate Scotts Porage Oats. But I couldn't be sure.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

Charlton then.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

If Dyers out with a Cyst on his shin, why not play Dyer against Chelsea then get the cyst operated on , bringing in Shearer on Sunday

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

This guy is an absolute marvel - a veritable Roy of the Rovers. If only he was 25 again!
I have to say I find the guy inspirational at a time the game is generally populated by toe-rags, many of who couldn't give a sh*t whether they play or not - and just can't understand his critics. He loves the Toon, and loves playing for us.

No way he should play at the weekend, but that's the cut of the man - would we had a few more like him.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

And as a future manager, Mr Clark? Actually, an attitude like that, coupled with good medical advice (ie. somebody prepared to say "Divvent be so daft Al, we stupid bugga (Dr Bill??)" could sort the men out from the boys.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

I should say I'm astounded, but his attitude and desire time and time again defy belief.

What did YBR say only last week...words to the effect that they had 'designed a rehab programme for Carl and Alan to work on together'

How is Mr Cort doing. Please let them be eased back gently to share the burden.

And remember Carl, you are ten years younger

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

I am sure if asked that Steph and Ciara , our visitors to the river- side , would give the opinion that Wor Al is not the best of trainers, IMHO that he would rather play to get match fitness than take in a rehab programme which may not be as comfy as one thinks . For a guy who has captained his country and club you would expect he would lead from the front and grit it out , make the younger ones look up to him , I will not dig myself a hole just yet, I will await the replies from the aforementioned and possibly Jonno.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

You're right, Buff. He's not the best trainer. He seems to enjoy the practice matches and 5-asides, but when it comes to warm-ups/stretching he tends to hide in the back and goof off. He's like a bad kid..does just enough so teacher can't send him to detention for not doing his work...but no more.

He's got to realize he's not a young kid anymore and his body needs the tedious stretching, weight training, etc or the injuries are going to continue.

BTW, I'm currently reading Rob Lee's book and he says Dyer is a lousy trainer too. At least he's still got youth on his side.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

Thanx Ciara , from limited exposure of England`s sessions I guessed correctly, to take it a stage further this could be a drawback in any future managerial appointments. If he is the hands on type ,and if I know footballers they will him upcast during sessions if he wields the whip. Why do I have this feeling he will be a remote manager , more concerned with media relations , started to dig my hole

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

Hard to say. There seems to be alot of insiders who think he's got the potential. And the other players talk about how inspirational he is to them. Still not to sure I see him able to handle players who don't share his attitude towards playing, nor his natural ability. Will he be able to take these 'lesser' players and get them to play for him and the team? Or will he do a RG and shut them out?

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

No need to worry about AS as a manager. Mr Robson will be manager for another 10 years and will only retire after winning the League Championship 5 years in a row.

-- Anonymous, January 29, 2001

Ooh Sounder! You`ve just taken over my place as the BBS`s eternal optimist! I like your style!(:o)

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Al's determination is a model to all. If only it would rub-off on a few other players. However the great thing is we DON'T need to rush him back. We've picked up points, won games, looked mobile and dangerous up front, without him. This is no veiled criticism of the man, but perhaps it is in his best interest, as much as the clubs, that we loose that widely held belief that we are over-dependent on him. That way we stop taking risks with his long term fitness playing him when he is patently unfit and give him time to heal and rest when its needed. Al can be left to concentrate on his form and fitness without being constantly under pressure to pull on the no.9 shirt week in week out.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

That is the key. Is it now time that Shearer is rested for a game in three and he starts to take fitness training seriously?

I don't imagine Gary McAllister is still playing now without putting the hard work in on the training pitch.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001

Turn the italics off :)

If he's fit then play him.....Ameobi isn't in the same league and the team have pulled off a couple of slightly fortuitous results without him....

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2001