GRAEME SOUNESS will tread into unsafe territory tonight by resting skipper Alan Shearer, but the frustrated boss insists he is not worried about leading Newcastle United to unwanted records.

Shearer's last league goal was at Manchester City on February 2 and Souness, unshaken by the statistic that both Ruud Gullit and Sir Bobby Robson were sacked after naming the talismanic captain on the bench, is likely to select Patrick Kluivert and Shola Ameobi up front.

That pairing will be asked to provide the attacking verve at Fulham tonight when Newcastle's season of disaster takes another step towards coming to an end.

With three games to go, Souness is close to becoming the manager at the helm when the worst Premiership campaign in the club's proud history arrives.

As well as occupying 14th place - one below previous lows set in 1998 and 1999 - there are also three other Premiership lows Newcastle fans will be aiming to avoid when the season comes to an end a week on Sunday.

They are on course to record the fewest wins, collect the fewest points and concede the most goals since returning to the top-flight by winning the Football League in 1993.

But Souness, openly admitting that his eyes are already focused on a summer of rebuilding and enjoying a more fruitful campaign beginning in August, claims not to be too distracted by less than flattering statistics.

"Records are not important, the same as if you set positive records and win something. If you win something what does that get you next season? Absolutely bugger all," said Souness, who took over from Robson in September and will take charge of his 50th game this evening.

"You want to finish as high as you can but if I worried about that I'd be in the wrong business and certainly at the wrong club. There's very, very few teams, and I can only think of Arsenal in recent history, who go through a season and who don't have a regular kick where it hurts.

"We need to finish the best we possibly can. It's been an extremely frustrating season, as frustrating as I've ever had. It's not put me off at all.

"This season we're learning what players we want to retain and others we want to try to sell. It's been a steep learning curve but something whoever was coming in would have to go through."

Another statistic Newcastle could do with improving on at Fulham is a disappointing away record - having won just twice, at Crystal Palace and Southampton, in the league this season.

It is a problem Souness is keen to rectify when his first full campaign in charge starts in August and believes a strong blend of experience and talent will be key to transforming his strugglers back into genuine contenders for a Champions League place.

Real Madrid striker Michael Owen remains high on the Scot's list of targets, while Tottenham's Robbie Keane and Chelsea's Scott Parker have all caught the manager's eye.

And Souness, admitting Hugo Viana could still leave permanently for Sporting Lisbon despite lack of progress over a £6m deal, said: "Our away form has been disappointing, it's a great mystery to supporters and us in the game why it's always harder to win away from home.

"If you're a proper player, a hostile crowd shouldn't affect you. It's the same rules, same referee same bouncing ball.

"I think we have to look at the personnel involved and hopefully get a different kind of personnel who can be better to suited to getting away results but also at home.

"You have to stand up and be counted at a club like this. The home form has been fantastic in recent seasons and the biggest reason for that is Alan Shearer's goals here at St James' Park.

"It's something we've spoken about at great length and we're trying to address that by bringing in a different type of player into this club. We're going to try to get 24-25 year-olds who are seasoned pros in who can deal with all the ups and downs and whatever comes in a season."

Newcastle will be without left-back Robbie Elliott tonight and he joins Celestine Babayaro, Titus Bramble, Kieron Dyer, Aaron Hughes, Jermaine Jenas and Nicky Butt on the treatment table. Lee Bowyer is still suspended.

* Shearer has confirmed he will return to Blackburn to play in a testimonial game for the club's long-serving coach Tony Parkes.

Shearer will be joined by former goalkeeper Tim Flowers for the match on May 17.