Souness confident he can keep Shearer

NEWCASTLE MANAGER Graeme Souness is confident he can persuade Alan Shearer to stay at the club past the end of the season.

The former England striker has indicated this year will be his last, with his contract set to expire at the end of the campaign.

The Newcastle captain did not feature in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Crystal Palace, frontmen Patrick Kluivert and Craig Bellamy both on target in his absence, brought on by a thigh strain picked up in training.