Viduka: Al can be top of the Toon for years

MARK VIDUKA is hoping Alan Shearer can launch a long career as Newcastle manager by sparing the club from relegation.

The 38-year-old former Magpies and England skipper sampled victory for the first time as boss at St James’ Park as his side came from behind to defeat derby rivals Middlesbrough 3-1 and give themselves a genuine chance of Barclays Premier League survival.

Shearer’s maiden win was his home town club’s first at St James’ Park since December 21 and was enough to lift them out of the drop zone, where they were replaced Hull.

Should Newcastle repeat the feat at home to Fulham on Saturday, they will be all but mathematically safe if the Tigers lose at Bolton because of their superior goal difference, although anything less would send them into the final day trip to Aston Villa with plenty to worry about.

However, Viduka is keeping his fingers crossed Shearer will steer the club to safety, an achievement that would increase the calls for owner Mike Ashley to retain Shearer’s services on a permanent basis.

The 33-year-old said: “Everybody respects Alan. He’s got that automatically. Maybe he doesn’t have the experience as a manager, but he has got that presence about him. I hope we stay up and he’s got a long career here.”

Meanwhile Boro’s hopes of escaping relegation were dealt a further blow yesterday when it was confirmed record signing Afonso Alves is out for the rest of the season. The Brazilian, a £12.7m (€14.2m) capture from Heerenveen, fractured a metatarsal against Newcastle. In addition, captain Emanuel Pogatetz has undergone knee surgery and will also miss Boro’s last two games. David Wheater and Didier Digard are still being assessed after missing Monday’s game with knee and groin injuries respectively.