By Akin Odejayi
November 6 2003

Newcastle United skipper Alan Shearer is staying on the spot - despite his penalty miss in Saturday's disappointing 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at St James' Park. Newcastle United skipper Alan Shearer is staying on the spot - despite his penalty miss in Saturday's disappointing 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at St James' Park.

If United are awarded a penalty kick in tonight's UEFA Cup second round first leg in the St Jakob Park stadium, Shearer will take it.

United's leading scorer in Europe has never missed a penalty in a European competition for the club - not counting shoot-outs.

"It's a chance to score a goal and I have missed chances hundreds of times over the years and I'll miss a few more before I retire." Alan shearer told the evening press

"It has never affected me missing penalties and I'll gladly take another one. There's no problem about that."

If Shearer isn't worried about taking a penalty, then he is concerned about tonight's opponents Basel.

And he admitted that United's early exits from the Champions League and the Carling Cup have put them under extra pressure.

The United skipper added: "We cannot afford to go out of another competition this early in the season. The squad we have should be looking to win this competition.

"And we need to win it because of our failure in the Champions League."