Arca not to blame for knee injury, says Shearer

ALAN SHEARER has absolved Julio Arca of any blame for the injury which may have brought his career to a premature conclusion.

The 35-year-old Newcastle striker will undergo a scan today on his injured left knee and, if fears that he has suffered a tear to his medial ligament prove to be correct, he has almost certainly kicked his last ball with retirement just three competitive games away.

That would come as a huge blow to Shearer, caretaker boss Glenn Roeder and the legions of fans on Tyneside as an unlikely charge for Europe gathers pace.