Of course he wont be rushed back, slow but sure until he's 100%-ARSE!!!

Shearer Targets Troyes Return Aug 9 2001 Evening Chronicle Alan Shearer could be back in the Newcastle United side in time for the Intertoto Cup final second leg with Troyes at St James's Park a week on Tuesday. That's the great news The Chronicle can reveal - on the day Shearer returned to full training with the rest of the United squad. And after United's lack of penetration in the Stade L'Aube in Tuesday night's goalless draw in the first leg it's just what Bobby Robson wanted to hear. But the final decision will rest with Robson and his physios Derek Wright and Paul Ferris. Speaking for the first time since his trip to see his specialist Dr Richard Steadman in Paris on Monday an upbeat Shearer told me today: "Things could hardly be better and I cannot wait to get back into the swing of things. "I have experienced no pain and no stiffness and I am doing everything like shooting and twisting in training and now I am ready to do what the rest of the first team squad is doing. "Chelsea a week on Sunday will be a bit to soon for me but this is followed by the Intertoto second leg on the Tuesday night and who knows? "Really it will be up to the manager to decide on that one." Robson is determined that Shearer will be 100 per cent after his influential skipper had only managed to play on two occasions since Christmas because of persistent knee trouble. And even if the United boss decides against risking Shearer against Troyes, there must now be a great chance of him lining up against Sunderland at St James's Park on August 26. Shearer revealed that he interrupted Dr Steadman's family holiday in Paris so that the man, who is renowned as the top knee specialist in the world, could check him out. Adds the United skipper: "Everything went very well. He gave me a few tests and I was sprinting and jumping." While Shearer was in Paris, the United squad were just 80 miles down the road in Troyes but he resisted the temptation to join them and watch Tuesday night's Intertoto Cup final first leg. "It would have been the easiest thing in the world to pop down to Troyes and take in the game, but I felt it was more important for me to get back home and continue my training, " he said. "In fact, I was frustrated that the lads were given the day off yesterday after being away in France and I had to wait until today to get back into full training with them." Now the greatest goalscorer in the history of the Premiership - who will be 31 on Monday - confesses to being "very exited" about the prospect of wearing the black and white shirt again. And with Carl Cort also back in full training, Robson will soon have the luxury of five strikers to choose from, with the former Wimbledon man, Shearer, £6 million new boy Craig Bellamy, Shola Ameobi, and Lua Lua. The news about Shearer balances the fact that - as The Chronicle revealed last night - Kieron Dyer has torn a muscle putting his comeback on hold for another month. AM

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Answers

Very good news that Steadman has issued the green light.

Shearer should be eased in gently. He should start with a couple of sub appearances and brought on only if the occasion warrants. The team has been playing well, Shola in particular.

I sincerely hope that we have something like the old Shearer back. The next few weeks will be critical. Good luck Alan.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

I read this in the Ronnie and was apoplectic. Under no circumstances should Shearer play in the Troyes game. He isn't a special case and should play reserves games like anyone else to prove his fitness. As he points out, it is Bobby Robson's decision and I have to say, YBR will go seriously down in my estimation if we see anything other than cameo appearances from Shearer for the next month and a half.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

You mean just like Bobby Lee, Dougs???

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

But the final decision will rest with Robson and his physios Derek Wright and Paul Ferris.

Well that's Shearer knacked for the rest of the season then! If Bobby is playing Lee without any subs/resorves appearances, he's certain to do the same with Shearer. :-(

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Thought I read somewhere that Bobby says he will make sure Alan is fit and will take in a couple of reserve games before throwing him into Premiership action or is that not the case? Hmmm! Maybe I shouldn't believe all I read.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001

Fantastic news! However, this really is make or break for Alan's career, and I only hope his re-emergence take this fully into account - just for once.

We should rejoice at AS's enthusiasm, attitude and desire to get back into action. However, BR and his staff bear a great responsibility in ensuring his enthusiasm is tempered by a professional realism and due caution - if they get this one wrong it is distinctly possible they will not get a second chance.

-- Anonymous, August 09, 2001