FORMER Ewood legend Alan Shearer today called for a truce in his feud with Blackburn supporters ahead of tonight's clash between Rovers and Newcastle at Ewood.

Former England captain Shearer used to be a huge legend amongst Rovers fans after scoring the goals to deliver the Premiership title in 1995.

However, his departure to Newcastle for a then world record £15 million fee a year later left a bitter taste in the mouths of some of the fans who used to adore him.

And the Premiership's all-time record goalscorer has been booed on his return to Ewood ever since.

Today -- for the first time -- Shearer has admitted he has felt hurt and disappointed by the reaction he has received.

But he wants to repair the wounds as both sides look for the points they need to win their respective battles at opposite ends of the Premiership table.

Shearer admits: "I did not like it the first time I went back to Ewood Park with Newcastle, especially as the United fans seem to have got it right up here.

"For former United players always get a tremendous reception at least until the

game starts.

"I don't know what kind of reception I will get tonight but I hope it's a decent one.

"I had some great times down there and they are decent people.

"Blackburn Rovers is still a great club in my mind and there a still a lot of people there who I am close to.

"But my mind is totally focused on helping Newcastle United get something at

Blackburn tonight."

Henning Berg -- Shearer's team-mate at Ewood during the Dalglish years -- has also called on fans to give the former England skipper a break as he returns to the scene of his greatest ever triumph tonight.

"Alan Shearer was a legend when he played here and he might get a bad reception when he comes down tonight but when he finally hangs up his boots and comes to watch the odd game, I'm sure he's going to get a hero's welcome," said Berg.

"What he has done for Blackburn is as much, if not more, than anyone else in the history of the club.

"One of the reasons he gets booed is because they didn't like him leaving because he was such a legend here and everyone wanted him to stay.

"But it's always difficult when such a good player leaves the club.

"Like I said, when he finally hangs up his boots and comes down to Blackburn to either watch a team or as a manager, I'm sure he'll get the reception he deserves."

Shearer -- who scored an astonishing 130 goals in 165 appearances for Rovers -- underlined his goalscoring prowess by becoming the first man to score 200 Premiership goals when he found the net against Charlton at the weekend.

And Berg has joined the chorus of pundits who believe he could do a job for England at the World Cup finals this summer.

"I can see why he should be in the England squad because of the way he has been playing," said Berg.

"But that's up to him himself and the England management.

"He's gone on record a few times as saying he won't play for England again and you can't force anyone to play for their country.

"But if you're asking me if he's still good enough, then I'd say he definitely is.

"He's a leader on the park, he works hard, and he always wants to win so he's a first-class striker.

"He's still doing a fantastic job for Newcastle and he's got an amazing scoring record.

"He got his 200th goal against Charlton on Saturday which was a phenomenal achievement and I don't really know what more I can say about him other than he's a top striker."

Those thoughts were also echoed by Rovers boss Graeme Souness who holds Shearer in the highest possible regard.

"Alan Shearer would be right up there with any centre forward you want to mention in the history of the British game.

"He's capable of getting the great goals, he's capable of getting the tap-ins, and he'll put his head where a lot of people wouldn't do.

"He's been an outstanding professional and he still is.

"I think he could still do a job for England in certain games or in parts of games but I don't think he has 90 minutes in him at international level anymore.

"But certainly there's not a centre-half in the world who would relish playing against Alan Shearer.

"If you bring him on for the last half hour of the game, then that centre half is going to go home bruised and battered and there's always a use for that, certainly in the British game, but also internationally."