Shearer blow for Newcastle

Newcastle captain Alan Shearer will not feature in the glut of games over the next fortnight after a scan revealed his thigh injury has still not healed.

The 34-year-old seems certain to miss the visit to former club Blackburn on Boxing Day, the home clash with Arsenal to St James' Park on December 29 and Birmingham's trip north on New Year's Day.

Even the game away to West Brom on January 3 could come too soon with the FA Cup third-round outing against Ryman League Yeading the following weekend a more likely comeback date.

"There is still bit to go on Shearer's injury and he will be out for another couple of weeks," manager Graeme Souness said.

"Obviously, that is a massive blow for us. Not only are we missing him on the field with his goals and leadership, but we are missing having him around the place."

However, there is at least some light at the end of the tunnel for Souness on the injury front, with Kieron Dyer's knee problem now less of a worry than it first appeared.

"Dyer is having a spot of bother at the top of his calf just behind his knee, but we are quite hopeful he will be okay for the weekend," said Souness.

With Lee Bowyer suspended for the Blackburn game after his sending-off at Liverpool and Nicky Butt out until the new year with a hamstring injury, Souness could do with Dyer fit, and even Frenchman Laurent Robert could yet get his chance.

Robert has found himself marginalised by the new manager, who does not believe he works hard enough either in training or matches to warrant a place in the starting line-up.

The former Paris St Germain winger admitted yesterday his colourful spell on Tyneside could be drawing to a close, though Souness pointed out: "If Laurent Robert has any grievances with me or the club, I would prefer it if he came to me and told me."