Newcastle United boss Alan Shearer says Alan Smith's position in his team will be as a midfielder.

Shearer said: "Without doubt there is still time for Alan to make an impact here. He has a tremendous attitude.

"Things have not gone as well as he would have hoped, and as well as everyone else would have hoped, but he has worked well.

"You know what you are going to get from Alan, you are going to get someone who will work, fight and scrap.

"Sometimes he goes over the top in those situations, but his attitude is exactly what we have been looking for.

"I think Alan sees his best position as a midfielder now. I know he hasn't scored yet for Newcastle so if he has not scored, then he won't say he is a centre forward!" If you ask him to play anywhere, he will do it without complaining. He is that type of character.

"I want him to show me in the right way, with the right aggression, that he wants to be part of it. Up to now, he has done that."