By Nick Raynor
January 5 2005

After suffering what was thought to be a short-term calf injury, Alan Shearer is finally close to a return.

This will come as somewhat of a relief to Newcastle who had to play their last match against West Brom with Ameobi as the lone-striker.

 

It is still unknown whether the ex-England captain will be fit for the FA Cup clash with Yeading this Saturday.

 

Shearer has missed Newcastle’s last 11 matches and with Kluivert (hamstring) and Bellamy (knee) still injured, Shearer will be an important figure in Newcastle’s strike force.

 

Shearer is clearly frustrated though at having to sit and watch his team’s poor form and cannot wait to be back out there.

 

Shearer said:

 

"Things are going fine now but it is killing me not being able to play,"

"The fact that I have not been able to return is not for the want of trying”

"I cannot say how frustrated and disappointed I was to pull out of the squad for the game against Birmingham - I found it all a bit embarrassing.”

"In 18 years as a player I have never had a niggly muscle injury and yet I have had a couple in the past couple of months.”

"I built my hopes up on a return against Birmingham only to have my calf tighten in training on Friday. I was devastated."