New assistant manager at Newcastle United, Iain Dowie, says Alan Shearer has proved his courage by taking the Toon job.

Dowie said: "It's a mark of Alan that he took the job. There's a Mexican saying 'he has shown big cojones' to take charge."

Managing director Derek Llambias reckons Joe Kinnear will be back next season, as he continues to recover from a triple heart bypass.

Llambias said: "It's important he concentrates on making a full recovery before his return in the summer as our manager."