Shearer tips Magpies to come back

Shearer's hopes of a trophy this season have faded away

Newcastle captain Alan Shearer has tipped his side to bounce back from the disappointments of the past week.

His side crashed out of the Uefa Cup and FA Cup, then suffered a last-minute loss at Norwich on Wednesday.

"We will be big and strong enough to take it and come back. The dressing room is not a nice place but we must get on with it," said Shearer, 34.

"It is tough at the moment but, as I have said, you don't get anything for feeling sorry for yourself."

As well as poor results, Newcastle have had to deal with the aftermath of the on-field brawl between team-mates Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer against Aston Villa.

The suspensions for those players, coupled with a host of injuries, meant that Magpies boss Graeme Souness could only name four substitutes for the match with Norwich.

"We are in a tough spell at the moment, we know that - it is a tough time for us," added Shearer.

"We have got to get up, pick ourselves up and get on with it."

Newcastle keeper Shay Given echoed the striker's rallying call.

"Our squad is stretched right now and the treatment room is pretty full," he said.

"I think we are at the point where you wonder if you've run over any black cats!"