FORMER Ewood favourite Alan Shearer made a habit of breaking records during a brilliant career with Blackburn Rovers.

And now Newcastle boss Bobby Robson is urging him to continue re-writing the record books on Tyneside after recently becoming an exclusive member of the Magpies' 100 club.

Shearer joined the likes of Hughie Gallacher, Jackie Milburn and Malcolm MacDonald in the Geordie's Hall of Fame when his recent double in a 4-1 win over Ipswich saw him take his Newcastle goals tally into triple figures.

But Robson believes his former England captain is still good for another half century yet, as long as people stop trying to press-gang him into a career in management.

"Alan's got at least another two and a half years left yet and I've no doubt he will get there," said Robson.

"I just wish everyone would let him finish what has been a brilliant career.

"What do people want from him, one hundred and fifty goals or management?

"Let's forget about all this talk of management and allow Alan to concentrate on what he does best -- scoring goals."

During four golden years at Ewood, Shearer was undoubtedly one of the most fearsome predators in the world, scoring a phenomenal 112 goals in 138 Premiership appearances.

But a series of injuries following his world record move to St James have since taken their toll on the 31-year-old hitman.

And there was even a time last season when he feared he might not play again when he sustained another serious knee problem.

However, a visit to top American surgeon Richard Steadman subsequently saved his career.

And now he is totally focused on repaying Robson for sticking by him through some difficult times.

"There was a time when I did fear the worst," said Shearer, who is free to face his old club tomorrow after having a recent red card against Charlton rescinded.

"I came back after my first operation seven months ago but the knee wasn't right and it was a big concern.

"But I don't feel any pain now, I'm pleased with my form and with the way things are going for us.

"We are making a decent challenge in the Premiership this time and we could be outsiders for a possible top four finish."

The fact Shearer now appears to be firing on all cylinders again comes as no surprise to Rovers' assistant boss, Tony Parkes, however.

Parkes worked closely with the former Southampton star during his time at Ewood.

And, though it is widely accepted that he's no longer the force he once was, Parkes is well aware of the threat he still poses to Rovers' hopes tomorrow.

"Alan Shearer is one of the finest strikers in the world, despite what a lot of people have said about him in the past," said Parkes.

"He was definitely the best player I've ever worked with at Blackburn and probably the greatest centre forward in the history of the club.

"Alan was so consistent and incredibly accurate, it used to be a surprise when he missed the target.

"He paved the way for a lot of Blackburn's success and played a massive part in us winning the title in 1995.

"He scored 90-odd Premiership goals in three and a bit seasons which was a remarkable return and I doubt whether that will ever be beaten here.

"For whatever reason, he then went through a lean time at Newcastle a couple of years later but he answered the people who wrote him off with interest.

"People in the media need people like him to fill their back pages and they build them up to knock them down. But that can be very dangerous with people like Alan because he loves to prove people wrong as he has done so often in the past."