Shearer's ready for the fight

New manager Alan Shearer has called on Newcastle's supporters to forgive and forget as they embark on a "massive fight" for Barclays Premier League survival.

Wednesday's news of Shearer's appointment for the remaining eight games of the campaign has been met with wild celebrations on Tyneside, where fans have spent most of the season in open rebellion against the regime of club owner Mike Ashley.

Addressing the supporters at his unveiling, Shearer, the club's all-time top scorer, said: "They know me as well as anyone and know they will get 100%, 24 hours a day for next eight weeks."

He added: "I hope that will be good enough because it would sadden me and thousands of supporters if we were in the Championship. They don't deserve that, they deserve better.

"The powers that be have admitted mistakes were made this season and it's important that whatever mistakes have been made, they're gone. It's history - we can't do anything about it."

Shearer added: "We've got a massive fight on our hands, in very difficult circumstances, we've got injuries - but we'll face it head on and give it a right good go."

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