Souness reveals Shearer request

Fulham 1-3 Newcastle Fulham reaction

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness admitted Alan Shearer had asked to be left out of their game at Fulham, which the Magpies won 3-1.

"He'll be pleased for us, he was physically and mentally down after the games we've had," he said.

"I think the game in Portugal really hurt him because he felt that it was a great chance to win something.

"He came to me and asked if he could be rested and I can't argue because he's worked his socks off for me."

Goals from Darren Ambrose, Patrick Kluivert and Shola Ameobi put Newcastle on the road to victory before Tomasz Radzinski's late consolation.

Souness added: "We've made hard work of it. At 3-0 we had done the hard but we were a bit naïve towards the end.

Shearer sure has some influence doesn't he? Imagine the uproar if any other player had done the same From B Have your say on 606

"We didn't keep the ball as well as we could have done but we've got three teenagers and a 20-year-old and I can't ask any more from the teams I've been putting out.

"This has been a difficult period for us with the games coming thick and fast and the injuries we've encountered.

"It's been a steep learning curve for me. I'm an experienced manager but managing this club is not an easy job.

"We've had a lot to deal with that we shouldn't have been focusing on.

"Next year hopefully we'll strengthen and do without the sort of stuff that gets us headlines for the wrong reasons."