Shearer back for Magpies

Alan Shearer is expected to return to the starting line-up against former club Blackburn as Newcastle attempt to get their season back on track.

The 34-year-old was left on the bench for the 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa, Sir Bobby Robson’s final game in charge, as Patrick Kluivert was handed a first start, but seems likely to return as head coach John Carver takes charge for one match only.

Nicky Butt is a doubt with the hamstring injury which kept him out of England’s World Cup qualifiers, but Titus Bramble (groin), Darren Ambrose (knee) and Steven Taylor (leg) remain on the sidelines.

Team (from): Given, Harper, Carr, Bernard, Hughes, O’Brien, Elliott, Ramage, Butt, Dyer, Jenas, Robert, Milner, Bowyer, Brittain, N’Zogbia, Shearer, Bellamy, Kluivert, Ameobi.