A RESOLUTE Alan Shearer last night insisted that Newcastle would recover from the double disappointment of Lisbon and Cardiff by embarking on a summer spending spree.

But, after a catalogue of internal problems helped to scupper his side's season, the Magpies skipper also revealed that temperament as well as talent would determine who was given the task of restoring United's fortunes.

There might still be seven league games to play this term but, after successive 4-1 defeats saw Newcastle crash out of both the UEFA Cup and the FA Cup, thoughts are already turning to next season.

Graeme Souness has repeatedly claimed that his squad is too thin to compete in the upper echelons of the Premiership, and the Scot will spend the next month compiling a shopping list of players who could remedy some of the serious flaws that were exposed last week.

But, after suffering costly fall-outs with both Craig Bellamy and Laurent Robert since moving to Tyneside in September, the Magpies manager will be desperate to assemble a squad that is as committed as it is classy.

"It's about getting good players in with good characters," said Shearer, who was keen to avoid making a direct reference to anyone in the current squad. "And it's about them doing a job for the club. I'm sure the manager will make sure that happens.

"I'm as hungry for success as I ever have been. I know the manager is as well, and I know he'll be working his socks off throughout the summer trying to get the right people in.

"It comes down to character. You don't become a good player by having a bad character.

" Top players go on because they hate losing and they want to play in big games. Defeat hurts them - we all know that."

Sunday's reverse undoubtedly hurt Shearer and, with just one more season of his playing career to go, the 34-year-old is having to face the prospect of finishing his ten years on Tyneside without a trophy to show for his efforts.

There have been plenty of near misses during that time, with two defeats in the last five days adding to a catalogue of close calls that also includes two FA Cup final defeats and disappointment in last season's UEFA Cup semi-final.

The common thread that runs through all of those games is the blind loyalty of the Newcastle fans and, after the club's supporters embarrassed the efforts of the playing staff yet again, Shearer admitted that they, more than anyone else, deserved better.

"It's tough to take", admitted the former England international. "We drove past the fans on the way to the ground and the noise they were making was absolutely unbelievable.

"It made the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. It's a frustrating time for them as well as us, and it hurts you."

Shearer, who literally gave blood for the Newcastle cause after a collision with Rio Ferdinand, could not be faulted for his efforts at the Millennium Stadium.

Some of his team-mates cannot say the same though and, after performing pitifully in his two substitute appearances last week, Patrick Kluivert has surely lost any chance of securing a two-year extension to his current £67,000-a-week deal.

Nicky Butt's Newcastle future is also in doubt, after the midfielder was the only player not to acknowledge the club's fans despite another below-par display against his former team-mates.

Souness will be keen to avoid a mass clear-out but, after grabbing Newcastle's goal in Cardiff, Shola Ameobi has warned every player in the squad that nobody is guaranteed their place at the club.

"It's been a disappointing season," admitted the striker, who ironically produced one of his better displays during the second half of Sunday's game.

"We can't argue with that and it's down to the players at the end of the day. We've had a torrid time in the league and we have to show the manager we're willing to fight.

"He says he is going to bring in new players so, to be part of the future, we have to deliver and show we're up for it.

"I want to be part of it and that means there's plenty to play for personally. That goes for everyone else, I'm sure."

Newcastle's first chance to bounce back will come at Norwich tomorrow, before Sunday sees a rapid re-match with Manchester United.

The trip to Old Trafford could not have come at a worse time but, with Sir Alex Ferguson's side needing maximum points to keep even the remotest chance of winning the Premiership alive, the game at least gives Newcastle's players a chance of extracting some form of revenge.

"We're going to go to Old Trafford and fight like hell," roared Ameobi. "It's been a tough few weeks but we want to get one back on Manchester United.

"It would be poetic justice if we could get the result on Sunday that finally kills off their title challenge.

"But we want to win every game between now and the end of the season for us, no-one else. We're just focusing on ourselves."

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