Shearer to take over at Newcastle: report

Alan Shearer is to be appointed Newcastle manager until the end of the season, the BBC reported on Tuesday.

The 38-year-old-former Newcastle and England striker has been repeatedly linked with a return to his hometown club and, as recently as September, said he was interested in becoming a manager.

Chris Hughton is currently in caretaker charge at St James’ Park while manager Joe Kinnear recovers from a triple heart bypass operation.

Shearer, now a television football pundit with the BBC, turned down the chance to join Premier League strugglers Newcastle as a coach in November.

North-east side Newcastle are currently third from bottom, two points shy of safety, and have eight league games left this season in which to preserve their top-flight status.