Former Newcastle United defender Peter Ramage is delighted to see his former QPR boss Iain Dowie joining Alan Shearer at St James' Park.

Ramage was signed by Dowie in the summer shortly before Shearer's ex-Southampton pal left Loftus Road this term.

Ramage told the Evening Chronicle: "I spoke to a few people about the gaffer, Alan included, before I signed, and he's highly regarded.

"Unfortunately, it didn't work out for him here, but Iain's a good coach, and hell get his point across. He'll definitely help Newcastle, and he'll definitely help Alan.

"Its just a shame he didn't spend more time down here, as he was one of the reasons I came here."