KIERON DYER believes Alan Shearer will cap a fairytale ending to the last year of his playing career by lifting the FA Cup.

Newcastle have been handed a tough fifth round tie with Chelsea at St James' Park, while promotion-chasing Hartlepool face a mouth-watering trip to Southampton should they triumph over Brentford in their fourth round replay at Victoria Park.

This season is Shearer's last chance to lift the trophy before his summer retirement and Dyer, the inspiration behind Newcastle's fourth round victory over Coventry City at the weekend, admitted: "I was just saying to the lads that I have a sneaky feeling we could have a fairytale ending to Golden Bollocks' (Shearer) career.

"The way his career has gone, and we do call him Golden Bollocks at the club, it would be just the perfect script. All the greats in all sports - they all seem to have a fairytale ending."

Newcastle fans don't need reminding that it is 50 years since they last lifted the world's greatest knockout competition.

Ironically, if United are to claim the trophy for the first time in half a century, they'll have to beat the team who won the league championship the very same season captain Joe Harvey lifted the FA Cup - and the current Premiership leaders.

Pool have never met the Saints before and boss Neale Cooper said: "It would be a good test for either us or Brentford, with Harry Redknapp going there and getting the confidence back.

"It would be a chance to prove ourselves against a Premiership team, but it's a heck of a journey.

"We've got a marina here, so maybe we can sail down the coast and it will only take about a week!

"Brentford are a really strong team and the replay will be a tough game.

"First up, though we've got Chesterfield and that is an important game for us on Saturday.''

Southampton assistant boss Jim Smith, whose side beat Portsmouth in the last round, said: "It's a good draw, but not quite the same impact as the last one!

"No disrespect to either of the sides, but this is one of the ties we probably could have chosen.

"Personally, I would prefer Brentford because Martin Allen is a friend of mine and I know they desperately need the money.

"But they will find it hard in the replay up there at Hartlepool."

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