When will he first play in black and white this season. I'm going for Sunday at Stamford Bridge.

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

Answers

He'll be on the bench, with cort and bellamy up front. If he doesn't make an appearance on Sunday, then Tuesday against Troyes is a cert!!!

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

quiet day huh Dougs?

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

.com are speculating that there is a "behind closed doors" game today in which both Shearer and Cort will be tested to check out their fitness. If YBR does indeed play them both in a froendly, tnen he must be serious about considering both for the trip to the Bridge.

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

Shearer will never be on the bench. When they think he's ready to play he'll go straight into the team from start. Not a single reserve game, nothing, just straight in =[

This will happen against Troyes

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

the follow up question has to be when he next misses a game because of injury ;((

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

Here we go again. So YBR has complete faith in Bellamy, and won't be rushing anyone back too soon. At least not until our ace medical staff have given the okay. So that's all right then. Nothing to worry about. That's my mind put at ease. A bit of common sense for a change.............Nurse!

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

the "behind closed doors" match is tomorrow. Speed will not figure as he's still injured. The team have a day-off from training today. Obviously a reward for the silky-smooth performance last Saturday. They should be made to turn up and watch a video-replay (and pay £20 each to charity).

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

Century are reporting that the closed doors match tomorrow is specifically to get Cort and Shearer to prove their fitness for Sunday.

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

I have to be honest wity yez, I don't think he is ready yet, especially for Chelsea, doubtfull for troyes and definatley not against the makems. Leave him out till west ham. Mmake sure he is fit, he only started kicking, turning etc last week and now he is fit to play...not a chance.

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

If he plays on Sunday then I dont now what to do. I really REALLY hoped they have learned something!

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

I don't see how Shearer can possibly be fit to play on Sunday, especially when it's more likely $10mil will fall out of the sky and into my lap than Shearer will sit on the bench and make sub appearances for a few games. It's complete folly to even consider playing him before September...and then only after he's played some reserves or friendly matches, and sits on the bench coming on as a sub maybe for Troyes and Mackems.

Why do we take the time with every other player, but not Shearer?

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

as merthelino says don't believe everything you read...there is every chance Alan and Carl are ready. i'll have a bit of sugar with that nursey

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

Steadman, the knee specialist has presumably advised on what can be done. I really can't imagine the club would go against such advice given the importance in which Shearer is held.

If the knee is fully repaired (and I believe that is the news from Steadman), Al should already be very fit from constant exercise, gym- work etc. I'd prefer to see him coming off the bench for his first appearance at least, and hopefully given no more than 20 minutes. I don't see why this should not be Sunday if he is fine in the training match this week.

It would be folly to play him before the medical advice says so.

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

Jonno sonna, NUFC laugh in the face of folly, that's why our injuries were so bad last year, they never heed medical advice. It's down to shearer, if says he's ready who is going to argue with him? I am total agreement, he should come off the bench although sunday IMO is too soon

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

Wasn't Shearer left on the bench for about 3 weeks at Blackburn after coming back from an injury? Came on and scored a hat-trick in the last 10 minutes if I remember correctly.

It would be great if he could do that against the Mackems wouldn't it? Maybe 1-0 down with 15 minutes to go, the Mackems making all the noise then Shearer comes on and knocks three in to win the match and silence the Mackems. It's the stuff of dreams

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

I just don't understand this idea that Shearer should be playing soon. What is it I'm missing? A baseball player here in Seattle has been injured all season. He finally gets his injury put right and gets sent to the tripple A farm tean to have 50 at bats. That's what it takes they say, you can't go into the majors till you've had 50 at bats (say 12 complete games). Need that for your timing.

I really do have tremendous respect for Shearer. When I've seen him play fit he has seemed to me a complete footballer - but I still think he is liklely to need "50 at bats" and I think he needs to get them at Kingston Park or Tynemouth Long Sands, or whjerever the reserves play this year.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2001

I think he has been sub for us before when he's been coming back from injury. If he is fit - then he is a better option than any of the other options even if he is rusty.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2001

Last season he was never fit and they played him anyway. They said he was ok the second time which he wasnt. EVEN is his knee is perfectly alright he cant be back in shape after a little more then a weeks training. When your arent top shape you shouldnt play full matches. He needs a couple of reserve games and a couple of subs before he is match fit and his muscles are strong again and can protect the knee better.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2001

Great point sounder, seattle huh? great city. Is your moniker linked to the "Sound" in seattle is it the puget sound?? Love bainbridge island.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2001

Well the Seattle soccer team is the 'Sounders' - so that seemed as close as I could get. Have to say I have never been to see them though! Yes, Bainbridge Island is a great place. There's lots of great places though, the mixture of sea and mountains and good summer weather takes some beating. CERTAINLY warmer than North Shields and Tynemouth Long Sands in the summer.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2001

According to various websites - Cort could be a starter on Sunday and Shearer is still expecting to be back for that little encounter the following week.

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2001