Parker is new Magpies skipper, Given named vice-captain

Newcastle have appointed midfielder Scott Parker as their new captain following the retirement of Alan Shearer.

Magpies manager Glenn Roeder also revealed goalkeeper Shay Given will be vice-captain at St James’ Park.

Roeder told www.nufc.co.uk: “I had a decision to make about appointing a new skipper after the retirement of Alan Shearer and it’s one I gave an awful lot of thought and consideration to.

“In Scott and Shay I found myself fortunate to have two outstanding candidates for a difficult role in replacing a Geordie legend like Alan who was such a magnificent skipper for this club.”

Roeder added: ``It's such a big honour and in Scott and Shay, they have all the qualities I was looking for and there were so many reasons why either could have got the job.

“However, Shay’s position as a goalkeeper came into it and obviously Scott as a central midfielder is more in touch with the whole side.”