Soccer: Beardsley backs Shearer to be Toon number two

Newcastle legend Peter Beardsley believes Alan Shearer could be the man to stand at Bobby Robson’s shoulder as he attempts to bring the glory days back to Tyneside.

The 68-year-old has been without a number two since Mick Wadsworth departed on the eve of the new season for his ill-fated link-up with Stuart Gray at Southampton.

United are expected to unveil a new man in the post before the end of this month, and Beardsley insists they could do worse than ask Geordie talisman Shearer to step into Wadsworth’s shoes to take some of the pressure off the manager.

‘‘I think they could do with promoting Alan Shearer to help Bobby,’’ he said.

‘‘I enjoyed playing for Newcastle because there were so many thousands of people who would have loved to have been doing the same. I didn’t see that as stress, I saw it as a privilege.

‘‘As a Geordie playing at St James’ Park, it was my dream. Captaining the club was something really special and I can see that it’s the same for Alan I can see what it means to him.

‘‘I don’t think players are really under any stress because all their problems are the manager’s problems. But I think a manager does need somebody to lean on.’’

Shearer has long been touted as a possible replacement for Robson when he finally decides to retire and has made no secret of his desire to go into management one day.

However, his most recent injury problems have left him determined to make the most of his remaining playing days, and with almost three years of his existing contract still to run, he has no plans to hang up his boots just yet.

Shearer has the respect of the players in the dressing room, but is currently working hard to regain full fitness after knee surgery, and it seems unlikely that Robson would be willing to heap any extra responsibility upon a man he still sees as his most potent attacking force.