Shearer concerns are well founded

English FA Cup / Chelsea v Newcastle Utd: Alan Shearer spoke calmly, Alan Shearer spoke honestly, Alan Shearer spoke in a tone of some resignation. It was the disappointing hour after Newcastle United's 3-1 home defeat by Liverpool on Sunday and Shearer leant against a corridor wall inside St James' Park and "looked forward" to tonight

Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup: it is normally a fixture all at Newcastle would gaze at in wonder, but Shearer considered it and said: "It will be tough, but who knows? There haven't been too many shocks in the FA Cup this season - and if we were to win there it would be regarded as a shock."

Not exactly up-and-at-'em. But then Chelsea have nearly double Newcastle's Premiership points tally - 75 to 39 - and deep down as a manager-to-be he must know that he would not retain or recruit many of this squad.

It means the scenario for Shearer's 399th appearance in a black-and-white shirt tonight is one last hurrah. However, the last five visits there have been defeats and no Newcastle goals have been scored. Chelsea, meanwhile, have rattled in 16.

The manner of Newcastle's last two performances, moreover, at Manchester United and against Liverpool, has diminished anticipation of any great send-off.

Newcastle have lost both with barely a whimper and Shearer's career is in jeopardy of finishing the same way. Arguably the greatest player of his generation, a man who has scored 202 Newcastle goals and 112 for Blackburn Rovers in 132 starts, deserves more, more certainly than the company of Jean-Alain Boumsong on the same teamsheet.

Albert Luque is another import who has helped undermine Shearer's last season. He has not even been asked to go to London this evening.

"Sometimes you don't always get what you deserve," was Shearer's phlegmatic response to such thoughts. "I'm not saying I deserve anything. You've just got to work hard and then see what you get out of it, and we'll see what happens at Stamford Bridge.People keep saying this season's FA Cup is my last chance of winning silverware for Newcastle but forget about that," Shearer said. "It doesn't mean anything to me personally, I won't feel any different when I'm getting ready for this game. It's the club's last chance of silverware this year, not mine individually. It's a team game. I've firmly believed in that team ethic throughout my career. That's the way you've got to think.

It is Shearer's last chance of winning a trophy for his hometown club. After he had scored the goal to beat Mansfield Town in the third round - equalling Jackie Milburn's record in doing so - Shearer mentioned the "dream" of finishing his last season with a triumph at last. The caretaker manager Glenn Roeder added to the sentiment yesterday by saying that Shearer's presence in Cardiff in May would be akin to the Matthews final.

After Mansfield, Cheltenham Town and Southampton were overcome, though not with ease, and the dream continued. But the first sign of Premiership opposition has Newcastle and Shearer understandably concerned. They are reasons for optimism with Boumsong missing, Stephen Carr set to return and Kieron Dyer likely to be in the starting line-up. Shearer may yet get his wish to wake up tomorrow morning in a state of shock.

Chelsea are missing versatile French defender William Gallas for the game. Gallas was shown a straight red card for his tackle on Heidar Helguson in Sunday's 1-0 defeat by Fulham and begins a three-match suspension. Spaniard Asier Del Horno could deputise. Dutch winger Arjen Robben also sits out the tie as he serves the third game of his four-match ban for his dismissal at West Brom. Otherwise, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho will select from a fully fit squad.

Stamford Bridge, 8.05 On TV: BBC 1