Would Hughes Fit The Bill On Tyneside?

Hughes watched his Blackburn side snatch a dramatic 2-1 win at Bolton and then insisted his focus remains on Rovers.

Despite repeated questioning, however, Hughes did NOT say he would not leave Blackburn for Newcastle.

"I have support from the chairman (John Williams) and the board," Hughes said. "That is something you do not give up lightly.

"The fact is I have continuity here and a good situation. Things are in place and I am very conscious of that.

"All I am trying to do is my job to the best of my ability with the help of my staff.

"I am not into self-promotion but speculation has surrounded me in the past.

"It is recognition for the work myself, the players and the staff are doing here and that is all we view it as."

Tyneside hero Alan Shearer has seen his odds lengthened for some strange reason today, Keegan and Blackburn manager Mark Hughes remain among the front-runners as Newcastle continue their search for a new manager.

We expected a better response from the bookies when both Sir Bobby Robson and Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp - who rejected the Magpies on Saturday - said Shearer should be given the job. But the bookmakers are not taking the bait.

Redknapp: "I'd give Alan Shearer the job. I think he's perfect for it.

"Experience doesn't matter because he understands football.

"He's different class and he's going right to the top. There's no reason Alan Shearer can't do that as well.

"He'd set the place alight and the fans would love him. You could bring a couple of experienced people in alongside him and it wouldn't be a problem for him.

"Because of what he means to the place and what the fans think of him and what a player he's been, he'd be absolutely perfect. I wouldn't want to see any further than Alan Shearer."