GRAEME Souness last night admitted that it remains almost inconceivable to imagine Newcastle lining up with Alan Shearer on the bench.

The Magpies skipper will go straight back into the first team as his side take on Portsmouth this afternoon, despite missing the last four games with a thigh problem.

Craig Bellamy has scored three goals in that time but, although the Wales international has underlined how effective he can be in a striking berth, he will be exiled back to the right wing if Patrick Kluivert passes a late fitness test on his hamstring.

Shearer's role in the side has been called into question in recent weeks, with the 34-year-old having scored just one Premiership goal from open play since the end of September.

But, despite praising the recent contributions of both Kluivert and Bellamy, Souness still feels Shearer's presence is integral to Newcastle's success.

"He is the standard bearer for this football club," said the United boss, who has also has French full-back Olivier Bernard back from injury this afternoon. "He's certainly the one that sets the standards.

"His influence is enormous, both on match days and every day in training.

"He's the first one to have a moan at people if they're not doing things right and, in my experience in football, every club must have at least one player like that.

"His goals speak for themselves. I've gone on record saying that he's the greatest English centre-forward of all time, and I stand by that.

"I think Alan has been Newcastle United for their most recent history. For the last eight or nine years, when you talk about Newcastle United, you talk about Alan Shearer."

Shearer's absence has co-incided with Newcastle's worst run of form since Souness took over at St James' Park in September.

Last weekend's 4-0 defeat at Chelsea made it one win in the last six league games, a run that has seen United tumble to 12th in the Premiership table.

Bellamy might have been amongst the goals in recent weeks, but the Magpies have not been able to make the most of his contribution and Souness hopes Shearer will add more of a ruthless streak later today.

"Ultimately, we're not winning games," he admitted. "And we were winning games when Craig Bellamy was playing on the right.

"I'm fed up with talking about how good our football has been when we're coming away with a defeat or a draw.

"We've got to turn that football and those chances into goals, because that will bring us victories.

"This club has had a fantastic home record in recent history and we have to get back to making St James' Park a fortress again."

To do that, Souness' side will have to stop shipping the second-half goals that have cost them so many points in recent weeks.

Incredibly, 27 of the 31 goals that Newcastle have conceded this season have come after the break.

Tired limbs lead to tired minds but, while Souness is confident his side have the physical fitness to last a full 90 minutes, he is not so sure that they currently possess the mental resilience needed to reach the final whistle unscathed.

"If I'm a supporter, I know the obvious assumption to draw would be that the players aren't fit enough," he said.

"I can assure the supporters that they are fit enough. I put it down to a lack of concentration when you get tired.

"It's a ridiculous statistic. Thirty-one goals - whether it's in the first five minutes or the last five minutes - is ridiculous."

With Stephen Carr still injured, 18-year-old Steven Taylor is set to continue at right back.

Lee Bowyer's position could be under threat if Kluivert is passed fit as, with Bellamy set to be switched to the right, Kieron Dyer and Jermaine Jenas look likely to continue at the heart of midfield.