This club is more important than any individual

By Matthew Jones
July 25 2005

Newcastle United hero Alan Shearer, who turns 35 next month, has accepted that he will not be able to play every game this season. The striker is retiring at the end of this season and is prepared to take up a part-time role in an attempt to continue to find the net and break Jackie Milburns record

THE STRIKER NEEDS ONLY SIX MORE GOALS, AND SAID: "To keep me fit and sharp, and hopefully scoring goals, then I understand I will not be able to play every game and I accept that.

"I knew that when I signed my new contract. With a bit of luck we will get some more ammunition.

"I can only take each game as it comes. When I sat down with the chairman and the manager before I signed my contract, I was fully aware I wouldn't be playing every single game this year. That's physically impossible for me.

"It does mean a change for me. With the injuries I have had and, hopefully, the games we will have in all competitions, it will be impossible.

"I would love to play every game but it just won't happen. I'm accepting that.

"It won't be hard to sit out if the team is winning. This club is more important than any individual."

ON THE TRANSFER FRONT, HE ADDED: "Fingers crossed that he can bring a few more players in because with five or six going out and two coming in, we had a bigger squad last year.

"The chairman and the manager are working very hard on trying to make sure players come in. The formation means I have two players alongside me who do all my running, which I don't mind at all."

ON THE UEFA CUP: "Last season's UEFA Cup was the biggest disappointment of my career by a million miles. It will be difficult this time to get into it, with La Coruna next for us.

"They were in the semi-finals of the Champions League two years ago and we were in the UEFA Cup semi-finals last year. It just shows how quickly things can change in football.

"The UEFA Cup will not be a distraction if the manager can get in the players he wants. Plenty of times last year it was our downfall because we picked up suspensions and injuries.

"We don't want to be caught in the same trap again. That's the reason why we are trying to bring some big name players in."