Newcastle United boss Alan Shearer wound back the clock for their open training session yesterday.

The 38-year-old, who retired as a player almost three years ago, delighted a crowd of around 7,500 supporters by finding the back of the net in a small-sided game as he held an open training session at St James' Park on Tuesday morning.

Shearer first appeared to glance home a header and instinctively set off with one hand in the air as he did 206 times in a black and white shirt before remembering he is now the manager.

He later blasted home a long-range shot to the delight of spectators who have had little to celebrate in recent months.

Shearer conducted only one interview after the session, with the club's official website, and admitted the first "goal" was not his.

He said: "I tell the lads I touched it, but I didn't really.

"I got one of those against Liverpool seven or eight years ago, but I might get it chalked off now!

"But the celebration doesn't change."

The former England and Newcastle skipper's cameo was just that on a day when the important work had been done earlier away from the gaze of onlookers.

However, he was quick to make the point to his players that the turnout showed just what is at stake over the remaining few weeks of the season.

He continued: "I said to the boys, 'Where else would you get thousands of fans turning up to watch training when the team is third bottom?'

"It's unique and you have got to appreciate it, and the players loved it.

"It was a good workout and we all enjoyed it."