Sir Bobby Robson says Alan Shearer can rescue Newcastle United.

Interim boss Joe Kinnear is set for an extended stay with owner Mike Ashley struggling to flog the club but Robson is desperate to see Shearer get a chance.

He does not rule out a stunning return for Kevin Keegan either and told The Sun: "Both are realistic prospects.

"Alan might not have any experience, but he knows what the club is all about, he knows the supporters, he knows how they feel and he'd be dedicated to it.

"Alan will make a good manager. He has got clout. He had that in the dressing room as a player, he loved the club. He wanted training and everything around the club right.

"The one thing he hasn't got is experience and to run a club like Newcastle you'd need an experienced man.

"So if Alan came in, he'd need someone else to coach for him or be a good liaison with him.

"What Newcastle need is a top manager and without that they won't succeed."