The bad news for Sir Bobby Robson is he'll have to spend big bucks when he has to replace Alan Shearer. But the good news is Newcastle's No 9 has at least a couple of seasons left in him yet. That's the verdict of Millwall boss and former Magpies star Mark McGhee. And McGhee maintains Shearer's retirement from international football means domestic defences now dread facing the Newcastle skipper more than ever. "When you talk about replacing Alan Shearer you're talking about replacing one of the best centreforwards football has ever seen," McGhee says. "Players who can guarantee you 20-plus goals a season in the top flight don't come cheap. "Ruud van Nistelrooy cost Manchester United £18 million and even in today's market it would cost you that for another player of Alan Shearer's quality." But McGhee believes Shearer's burning desire to see some silverware at St James's Park means it could be a couple of seasons before Sir Bobby Robson is reaching for the chequebook. "Shearer can go on for a while yet - you just have to look at how Teddy Sheringham is still doing the business at the highest level aged 37 to see that," McGhee said. "Admittedly they're different players - Alan works the line on a different way to Teddy - but Sheringham has got better with age and I believe Shearer has too. "I was talking to Gordon Strachan recently and he was saying it's your brains and your desire that go before your legs do - and Shearer still has the desire. "You can tell that just by watching the man go about his business on the park, week in, week out. "You never stop learning and his game is getting more complete with every passing season. "When I left Newcastle the first time I went to Aberdeen and ended up playing alongside Steve Archibald and I picked up so much from training and playing with him. "Alan has developed a particular style and, like all the great strikers, he puts the back four under pressure all the time." McGhee believes Shearer's decision to quit playing for England has paid dividends for Newcastle United. And says young pretenders to his St James's Park crown must make the most of their opportunity to learn from the master. "Quitting international football has taken some of the pressure off Shearer," he said. "Representing your country is a fantastic honour for any player, but it's a huge commitment too and there will be things like the travelling that Alan won't really miss. "He certainly doesn't seem short of energy on the park - the amount of times you see him force a defender or goalkeeper into a mistake just by chasing lost causes is remarkable. "If he's lucky with injuries he can go on for a couple of seasons yet - the young players at Newcastle should take full advantage of being to learn from him every day. "These lads have to take the opportunity to learn from Shearer because they're learning from the best!" | 
