NEWCASTLE United's Craig Bellamy has confessed he must improve his strike rate if he is to be recognised as a great goal-poacher like skipper Alan Shearer.

Bellamy is in a rich vein of form, having scored six goals in his last nine appearances.

The Wales striker, withdrawn by Magpies boss Sir Bobby Robson from last night's game against Hungary in Budapest because of niggling hamstring trouble, has returned with a vengeance after missing nearly four months of the season with a serious knee problem.

Bellamy underwent surgery in the United States for tendinitis, a condition that also forced Shearer to go under the knife three years ago.

Leading surgeon Richard Steadman has been credited with saving the careers of both players, and 24-year-old Bellamy is now enjoying his most consistent scoring run since he joined United from Coventry for £6m in the summer of 2001.

He said: "I am constantly trying to improve all aspects of my game, but finishing is obviously the most important of any striker's make-up.

"I know, in the past, I haven't maybe got as many goals as I would have liked and I am always working on that. In training, I stay back for one-on-one stuff with the keepers and it is something you cannot practise enough.

"I thought the goal I scored in Mallorca last week was me at my best, using my pace to get away and then producing a finish to beat the keeper.

"That is what I have to keep doing because there is no point in all the fancy stuff outside the box, then ending up with no finish.

"You can have 100 chances in a game and still end up losing, although with Alan Shearer in our side we have the best in the business. I have watched Alan and he is a master at knowing how to beat a keeper.

"I think my record is pretty good, but obviously I want it to be a lot better and I want to get in the scoring charts every season. I don't give myself a target at the start of a season, other than scoring more than the year before.

"I've got eight this season, I'm in a great spell at the moment and long may it continue. To be the best striker, you have to hit the net on a regular basis and that must be my aim between now and the end of the season if we are to try to win the UEFA Cup and get fourth place in the Premiership.''

Shearer yesterday learned he will meet up again with old Newcastle Nemesis Ruud Gullit.

Feyenoord, who will have Gullit as their new boss this summer, have entered the Newcastle United Tournament at St. James' Park on the weekend of July 31-August 1.

Rangers and one of Robson's former clubs, Sporting Lisbon, make up the four-team competition.

Gullit's return to Tyneside is sure to be a stormy affair. The Dutchman, who in his final game in charge of United in August 1999 infamously dropped Shearer for the home derby defeat by Sunderland, recently launched a scathing "rotten apple'' attack on the former England captain.

Meanwhile, Newcastle winger Laurent Robert has labelled the decision of France coach Jacques Santini to pick Liverpool's Bruno Cheyrou ahead of him for the friendly with Holland as "another big slap in the face''.

Robert, who has produced his best form for United this season in scoring 12 goals, said: "This is a huge disappointment. With all the injuries, I really thought my time had come.

"I have proved my value to Newcastle and I believe the Bleus' coaching staff know this, too.

"But I have never been contacted by Santini or his assistants. It is hard to believe that reports of my good performances in England do not filter back.

"To see that Bruno Cheyrou had been selected on the left side, that was like a hammer blow to the head.

"I think I can add something to the French team, even as a second attacker. There is no major left-sided player and I believe that, with a bit of luck, that could be me.

"I am frustrated at not being selected, but I will continue to believe. For the last three years, I have waited with impatience for the announcement of the squad.

"And, like all the other times, this is a big slap in the face.''

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