Shearer - Greatest Ever?

The ageing hit-man moved a goal closer to Jackie Milburn's all time goal-scoring record for Newcastle as he came off the bench to claim the third goal in Newcastle's 3-0 victory over West Brom at the weekend.

Shearer was dropped for the game against The Baggies but showed his predatory instincts have not dulled by moving to within three goals of the club record.

Souness has now revealed Shearer accepted his bench role, and enthused over the qualities of the former England captain.

"If he thought he was going to start every week he'd be knocking on my door but we spoke about it and, even last season when we were trying to persuade him to stay on for another year, said he wouldn't be starting every game," Souness told Sky Sports News.

"He accepts that, he's 35 years old, plays the centre forward role in an old fashioned up and at them style and no-one does it better.

"No-ones ever done it better and that's the hardest way to play that role, you know he's generally playing with his back to where he wants to be and he's got young men who all want to leave a mark on him, all want a piece of him.

"But you know he's got the attitude the bigger the challenge the bigger he becomes.

"People talk about the modern game and getting goals and when you talk about Alan Shearer's goals there isn't a typical Alan Shearer goal.

"He gets tap-ins, he gets bullet headers, he gets glancing headers and he scores a rocket from outside the box so he's got everything.

"Every type of goal in his locker and he's just been in my opinion the best English centre forward you've ever had, I just wish he was Scottish."

Souness also had words of praise for strike partner Michael Owen as the former Real Madrid man continued to acclimatise well to his return to Premiership football with a brace against Bryan Robson's men.

"Michael's got a track record and when you buy a player you try to eliminate as many of the risks as possible," Souness continued.

"Michael's got a track record scoring goals in The Premiership, a track record of scoring goals at international level and for a year in Spain when he played so if you can get a solid banker I think Michael was that."

The Magpies have been suffering heavily from injuries this season but the squad is beginning to find it's natural shape with the likes of Kieron Dyer and Emre returning to action, and Souness is hoping that his side do not suffer any further blows as they look to continue their resurgence.

"What we're hoping is that we can get a free week this week from injuries and go into Saturday's game with Birmingham which wont be easy.

"And after that have a two week break, and after that we'll have everyone fit and fighting for places."