Soccer: Shearer faces longer absence over knee injury

Doctors at a top US clinic have told Newcastle striker Alan Shearer he could be sidelined for the rest of the season because of his knee injury.

The former England star suffered a reaction after surgery earlier this month and he has been warned that he faces another operation if the problem doesn't clear up.

Shearer admitted: "In the back of my mind, I am preparing myself for the worst outcome - that operation in a month's time and a comeback next season."

Both Shearer and Newcastle manager Bobby Robson insist that this latest setback is not career-threatening.

"I've heard it all before and I can handle it," the player said. "If I had listened to all the doom-mongers in the past, I would have hung up my boots a long time ago. I prefer to listen to what the experts tell me."

Speaking to BBC Radio's Sportsweek programme, Robson said: "I don't think this is career-threatening at all. He's just had a slight setback, he jarred the knee in a practice match.

He suffered a lot of pain and discomfort and it didn't get better for eight to 10 days, so we decided on this option of a second opinion."