Both players were left out of the team for the draw with Portsmouth but the interim Geordie boss has confidence in both players. "We've got to get Kevin into the positions he had at Bolton“ said Shearer, We've got to get him on the end of things in the box.”

On Taylor he continued "I've been asking Ryan to play at right-back, and he's done what he can. I think he wants to play right side of midfield, but he is versatile. The good thing about him is wherever I play him, he'll go out and give me his best."

Defender Sebastien Bassong, who has made a solid start to Newcastle career, has put aside thoughts of extending his two year deal to concentrate on helping the Magpies stave off the threat of relegation. The 22-year old said "I am not thinking about my future. The most important thing is United and staying up. We will think about my future at the end of the season, hopefully after we have stayed up and survived."