Not quite sure where the four weeks bit comes from but I bet Steadman asked him what he thought he was doing trying to return to first team action so quick!

From Press Association:

Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer will be out of action for at least four weeks after being told to rest his injured knee.

But the 30-year-old striker may have to undergo further minor surgery which would end his season.

The news came after the second of two consultations with top surgeon DrRichard Steadman in Denver, Colorado, on Thursday.

Shearer said: "He (Steadman) told me that the surgery I had in December and the rehabilitation programme were both fine and there is a chance that rest will resolve the problem.

"If not, I might need additional minor surgery which would probably keep me out for the rest of the season."

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

Answers

But while Shearer is obviously relieved at the diagnosis, he has been told that the swelling could take up to six weeks to die down completely, meaning he still may be sidelined for the rest of the season.

So really it has swelled up because of the time he jerked it in the practice match. Back too soon, nah never, whatever gave you that idea?

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

the surgery I had in December and the rehabilitation programme were both fine

Interesting. So the Toon medicos got it right then? I still think the club needs a major investigation of all aspects of fitness training and medical facilities but this is promising news.

there is a chance that rest will resolve the problem

Well there's a lesson to be learned. Mind, being cynical, one could argue that he'll get plenty of rest in the current forward line!

out for four weses???

Don't tell me he's taken up smoking now on top of all our other problems

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

Ronnie Gill today says no operation is necessary and he will be back for the Easter programme. As we only have one game in the next three weeks (vs Bradford) this is the only game he will be rested for.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

The only possible reason to risk playing AS again this season is if, God forbid, we get sucked right into the middle of the relegation morass. If so, we need to take the risk in the hope that a few of his goals might save us yet again - for the 3rd season running for those who have forgotten that fact.

Otherwise, surely 4 months rest & rehabilitation would be the sensible course of action rather than him risking further injury in totally meaningless games?

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

.....forget to add, I certainly don't accept that our rehabilitiation programme was 'correct', or why did he break down?
It is abundantly clear that he was allowed to come back too early, and that this has now put at risk the success of the initial surgery.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

Does anyone expect Shearer to say anything other than good in regards to NUFC staff(in public)? Sure, his operation and rehabilitation program may have been 'good', but if someone were to ask Steadman, off the record, what he thought, would he be likely to say Shearer came back too early? Or pushed himself too hard too fast, ignoring the 'soreness' in his knee? Nobody comes back from a long-term injury and surgery that quickly and goes full speed at the first opportunity without a setback.

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001