Alan Shearer has admitted he hopes to manage Newcastle "one day", and the Magpies could try to lure both him and Gerard Houllier to St James'.

Sources on Tyneside have suggested Houllier's name is on a short-list of candidates to replace Sam Allardyce, and that he could form a partnership with Geordie hero Shearer.

The Evening Chronicle, is reporting that he and 37-year-old Shearer, who has never been too far away from the top of the betting in the last week, would be happy to work together.

The former Magpies and England skipper has found himself touted both as the man to take over in his own right, or in partnership with Kevin Keegan, with both options receiving popular support.

But whether Shearer and Keegan, the man who paid Blackburn £15million for his services back in 1996, would be willing to work together seems uncertain.

Shearer was diplomatic as he arrived back on Tyneside from his holiday in Barbados.

Asked by Sky Sports News if he wanted the Newcastle job, he replied: "Am I wanting it? One day, hopefully."

Questioned further about the possibility of him linking up with Keegan, he said: "I haven't spoken to Kevin for a long time. We will have to see."