Alan Shearer feels helpless at Newcastle United.

A source told the Evening Chronicle: "Alan is desperate to be appointed and get on with what he sees as he sees as a massive task.

"Because of his love for the club, the current silence is hurting him because every day that passes, the rest of the division take another step forward and leave Newcastle wanting in terms of player recruitment.

"He has a lot of feasible plans to take Newcastle forward but he is helpless to stop the club sliding downhill until he gets the nod.

"It's hard to see what the delay is because it seems like a no brainer.

"The support Alan had from all of the fans, even at Aston Villa when the team went down, was overwhelming.

"It was clear that the fans see no other man to take the club forward.

"The big worry is that we are heading for oblivion and that's a sad thing for Newcastle fans to hear given the season they've had."