ALAN Shearer has urged his Newcastle team-mates to use the last fortnight as a "springboard" from which to launch a concerted push up the Premiership table.

The Magpies were still searching for their first win of the season when Graeme Souness was confirmed as Sir Bobby Robson's successor two weeks ago.

But after watching his new charges defeat his former employers Blackburn 3-0, the Scotsman has presided over morale-boosting wins over Israeli side Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin and Premiership opponents Southampton.

The three victories have dispelled the air of gloom, with Sunday's win temporarily propelling United back into the top eight.

While Shearer is delighted to have helped reverse a worrying start to the campaign, he has warned that the last three games will count for nothing if the winning run is not continued.

"We've got ourselves a platform to build on now," said the Newcastle skipper, who continues to claim Sunday's deflected opener against Southampton until the Premier League's dubious goals committee rules otherwise.

"We've won three games in a row and we've restored some confidence. We've set a standard now and we can't fall below that standard over the rest of the season.

"We've had bad starts in the past and recovered, and we need to use this week as a springboard to put a really good run of results together.

"We need to be looking to put together a lot of wins on the trot. This squad is capable of doing something like that."

Saturday's visit of struggling West Brom offers Newcastle a perfect opportunity to extend their winning run to four games.

The Baggies enjoyed a shock success on Tyneside last season when they knocked United out of the Carling Cup. But Gary Megson's side have still to win this season, and the Magpies will start as firm favourites this weekend.

"It's a home game and we've got to make sure we make it nine points out of nine," said Shearer. "We're in a good position in the UEFA Cup, but we're not thinking about going to Israel until after we've played West Brom."

Shearer partnered Patrick Kluivert at St Mary's as Souness' first significant act as United boss saw Craig Bellamy shuffled into an unorthodox right midfield role.

Bellamy's acceptance of his new role suggests the Scotsman's disciplinarian streak is already having an impact.

Souness has also made subtle changes to the training schedule, and Shearer admits there is a new atmosphere at St James' Park

"I'm not being detrimental to Sir Bobby Robson because he did a wonderful job here," said Shearer. "But how many times have we seen it happen at a club?

"A new manager comes in and it changes results. Training has been a little bit different under Graeme and there's a slightly different feel about the place. Everybody wants to impress the new manager."

Achieving back-to-back wins is one thing, but convincing Shearer to scrap his retirement plans will be a considerably tougher task for Newcastle's new boss.

Souness has promised to raise the issue. But after recently re-affirming his intention to hang up his boots at the end of the campaign, the Newcastle skipper said: "I don't want to be drawn into talking about my future. I just want to concentrate on playing my football for the club. I've got nothing else to say on the matter."

* Loan striker Michael Chopra was prevented from playing for Barnsley against Manchester City last night in the League Cup as Souness didn't want the Gosforth- born striker cup tied.

* Newcastle United's reserve game at Sunderland tonight has been called off at the Wearsiders' request.