Source: SKY_Sports
Shearer puts Barton saga aside
Alan Shearer is hoping to draw a line under the unsavoury Joey Barton saga and focus on Premier League survival.[LNB] The Newcastle boss has seen St James' Park once again fall under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons of late.[LNB]Barton's dismissal during a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, and his subsequent suspension by the club, has offered an unwelcome distraction at a crucial stage of the season.[LNB]With the Magpies still scrapping for their Premier League lives, the episode could not have come at a worse time for temporary coach Shearer.[LNB]However, the former England captain is keen to put the issue to rest and give his full attention to a crunch derby date with Middlesbrough on Monday.[LNB]"Joey has been suspended until further notice. The club wants to look at a few things and they will make another statement or comment when the time is right," he said.[LNB]"But other than that, there are far more important things to talk about than what has gone on this week."[LNB]Newcastle enter their meeting with Middlesbrough with both sides languishing in the bottom three.[LNB]The North East duo are locked together on 31 points, three points from safety with three games remaining.[LNB]That has added an extra dimension to the Tyne-Tees clash, but Shearer insists the events of the last week have not had an adverse affect on his side's preparations.[LNB]Mood"No, they haven't at all to be honest," he said.[LNB]"The mood around the place has been good, and despite the result on Sunday, training has been fine and I have been encouraged."[LNB]Shearer is under no illusions, though, as to the size of the task still facing his troops.[LNB]"It will be the biggest game I have been involved in and certainly for the players as well," he said.[LNB]"We are playing for big stakes here and it will be a huge football match. There is a tremendous amount of pressure on both teams, but we're looking forward to it."[LNB]The Magpies boss also believes that a morale-boosting success at this stage of the campaign could help to carry the club to safety. [LNB]"It will be massive. It would give everyone a huge lift confidence wise and belief wise," he added.[LNB]"I believe we can do that. I really do. I have seen enough from the players, not just this week but in recent games, and if we go into it and create chances I'm pretty sure one will go in."[LNB]Injuries continue to disrupt Shearer's plans heading into the game, with Jose Enrique and Alan Smith struggling to shake off knee and thigh problems respectively.[LNB]On a more positive note, Steven Taylor returned to training on Wednesday after an ankle problem and could feature on Monday night.[LNB]
