GRAEME SOUNESS has conceded he may never be able to replace the goalscoring prowess of Alan Shearer, but believes the club's talismanic skipper could extend his playing days beyond this season.

Shearer has made no suggestions that he is willing to rethink his decision to retire at the end of the campaign, when his contract at Newcastle expires.

But Souness, nearly two months into his reign at St James' Park, claims there is a chance the 34-year-old will stay on if the club are continuing to move in the right direction and he is still finding the net.

The manager, who has offered full-back Olivier Bernard a new deal, will sit down with Shearer after Christmas when he hopes to convince his captain there is still life and, more importantly, goals in the feet of the legendary Newcastle hero.

And Souness' bid could be aided by the player's push to go down in Geordie folklore as the finest Magpies striker of all time - overtaking Jackie Milburn's record of 200 goals in a black and white shirt.

Shearer, who goes to Bolton tomorrow having failed to score from open play away from home since the trip to Wolves on November 29 last season, has 181 to his name.

He is also the Premiership's record-goalscorer with the 247 he has scored during his days at Newcastle, Blackburn and Southampton, some 80 ahead of former Geordie No 9 Andy Cole, who is the nearest contender.

Shearer has scored eight - four in Europe - so far this season and Souness wants the goals to keep flowing so that the striker's thinking may sway towards playing on.

"He's enjoying his football and he's scoring goals, which is important to him," said Souness. "When we get into the New Year I will try to persuade him to stay on. At 34 he's the first in the training ground every day and it is a privilege to work with him.

"He's unique. There are two things that help him to enjoy himself - scoring goals and the team doing well. I think it would be easier to persuade him to stay if they are happening.

"He scores all types of goals and he's the greatest English centre-forward there has ever been. Statistics would back that up in the modern game.

"To be 34 and still love being bashed around by big lumps of centre-halves is fantastic. Those defenders get turned on by trying to keep him quiet."

Shearer was rested for the midweek Carling Cup victory over Norwich City and the men who came in, Patrick Kluivert and Shola Ameobi, proved all is not lost if the former England man does hang up his boots.

Kluivert was fantastic for an hour with his boot bringing the ball down as though he had a cushion strapped to it, while Ameobi slotted away the second goal with a crucial penalty.

Providing, as it appears, Craig Bellamy has settled his differences with Souness, the Welshman should also still be on Tyneside next season to continue to offer pace to Newcastle's attacks.

Souness said: "Replacing Shearer is daunting but we have three other strikers here who are all very different and will relish the challenge.

"But I don't think anyone is capable of filling his boots in the same style and by scoring the same goals.

"I would love to think there is but anyone trying to emulate him faces a big, big task. But that's the challenge, trying to find someone to do that or trying to get those we have here to do it. Alan's record confirms everything I have said about him."

At Bolton tomorrow, Souness goes head-to-head with one of those who was also in the running to succeed Sir Bobby Robson - Sam Allardyce.

Allardyce has guided the Trotters to fourth in the Premiership after successful wheeling and dealing in the transfer market and they are yet to lose at the Reebok Stadium. The Bolton boss was one of those names high on Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd's target list but Allardyce, after signing a long-term contract at the club, preferred to stay put.

Souness can understand why Allardyce's name is mentioned with any top jobs that become available, including taking over from Sven Goran Eriksson in charge of England.

"Sam had a good season last year and he has started this year fantastically," said Souness, who was in charge of Bolton's Lancashire rivals Blackburn before taking over on Tyneside.

"I know Sam's a good manager and I know how well he has his players playing. If we can match them for spirit then we will have a real chance against them."

Allardyce drafted in veteran midfielder Gary Speed from Newcastle in the summer, before Souness had the chance to work with the Welshman. But the Scot, looking for his side to extend their unbeaten run to ten games, claims Jermaine Jenas is up to the test of winning the battle with Speed in the middle of the pitch.

He said: "I have never worked with Gary but from the outside looking in he's an excellent pro. He's got great passion for the game and great enthusiasm. But if I'm 35 I don't want to be playing against Jermaine Jenas."

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