Shearer will stay another year: Shepherd

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd is convinced Alan Shearer will not retire at the end of the season.

Shearer has insisted he will quit at the conclusion of the current campaign but Shepherd believes the former England international will remain at St James’ Park for a further season so he can break Jackie Milburn’s goalscoring record.

Milburn scored 200 league and cup goals for the Magpies, while Shearer’s strike against Olympiacos moved him to 189 goals.

Shepherd told the Daily Mirror: “He has said he will quit but, listen, I said I loved my wife when I left her this morning. Wait until tomorrow morning. Things change.

“I believe in my heart of hearts there is a good chance Alan will play on next season. He’s got the Premiership goals record and I know he wants Jackie Milburn’s record too.

"I know what Alan’s like. That is going to be a carrot for him if he does not break it this season. I know I would love to see him break that record.”

Regardless of whether Shearer retires or returns for a final year, Shepherd admits Newcastle will have to buy a top striker this summer and insists they will only target big-name players.

He said: “Without a doubt, we are going to have to go into the transfer market in the summer for a top line striker. But there is nothing wrong about that.

“Graeme (Souness) has talked about Michael Owen and that is the calibre of player we are aiming for.

“It wouldn’t be acceptable at Newcastle to bring in a striker from the first division. The fans want a big name.”