Shearer: "We Have To Stop Moaning"

Shearer has admitted the injury problems have hit the side hard, but insists they must fight on with what they have got.

Alan Shearer: "We simply cannot afford to feel sorry for ourselves. Of course, the heart has been ripped out of the team but we have to - and will - roll up our sleeves and get on with it. I have to keep searching for goals and the others must keep doing their jobs. There's nothing else for it.

"We've had to feed off scraps. And, yes it's true, I've always benefited from wide players whipping in crosses. Centre-forwards relish that sort of service. But, to be fair to the manager, he has spent big money to buy two wingers, Solano and Luque, only to have them both injured before they could start together.

"Certainly, I'm looking forward to playing alongside Nobby again. We know one another's games and he's a crowd favourite. He'll help to get everyone going."