Newcastle United Football Club News

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52,193

Shearer ready for City battle

07 Apr 2009 - 10:57:43

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Interim Newcastle United manager Alan Shearer has admitted that his side face a massive relegation six-pointer at Stoke City this weekend.

The Magpies are currently third bottom in the Premier League and three points adrift of safety, with Shearer's first game in charge having ended in a 2-0 home defeat by Chelsea.

He told The Journal: "We all know what we're going to face at Stoke, it'll be one hell of a battle, but we're in one hell of a battle anyway.

"We know we have to win matches. We have to win to get out of this trouble. Stoke aren't a Chelsea, but the way they play and the atmosphere of their stadium will be equally as tough.

"We always knew it was going to be a massive game, but we've got a full week to get ourselves ready and will be giving it our best shot to get the win.

"We have changed one or two things, but we can't address everything because we're only here for seven weeks."

Midfielder Danny Guthrie is expected to be fit to face the Potters despite suffering a slight knee problem during a reserve team clash with Manchester City.

Coach Richard Money told the club's official website: "I think Danny will be okay for Saturday. We took him off as a precaution and we don't think it's anything too serious."