Shearer return offers hope for Newcastle

LONDON: When Alan Shearer signed for Newcastle United 13 years ago thousands of joyous Geordies turned out to welcome the local boy back to his hometown club, dreaming of the goals and the silverware to follow.

Shearer did not disappoint in terms of goals, going on to score a record 206 in 404 games, but the club's chronic under-achievement continued and he returns as manager with eight games to salvage their place among England's elite.

The announcement on Wednesday that the former England front man will take charge until the end of the season will raise morale among the club's long-suffering fans who have endured yet another season of trauma and ridicule. They love greeting a so-called returning Messiah and in Shearer they will feel they have been handed a dream ticket.