WHEN it comes to decision-making on which players to rest from his starting XI, Sir Bobby Robson could not be accused of taking an obvious route.

No quick check of his players' guide to single out the most senior squad members for the Newcastle manager.

In fact the first two names on Robson's teamsheet - goalkeeper Shay Given apart - are golden oldies, Alan Shearer and Gary Speed. Two games in a little over 40 hours may have been too much for some, but not for Shearer and Speed. Robson still sees the duo, boasting a combined age of 67, as more blue chip than blue rinse.

His judgement could not be questioned at Wolves on Saturday with Shearer hitting his 12th Premiership goal of the season and Speed providing some much needed bite in midfield.

Robson admitted the two leave him little choice but to keep them in. He said: "Alan's a special player. He's kept his fitness and he's kept his condition. He knows how to look after himself and that's vital.

"Alan's well past 30, it was his third game in eight days, but he's always in the thick of things.

"He gave up international football and he's able to give us a bit more than he might have been able to do had he carried on with England.

"Gary (Speed) has been magnificent for us because during the international week when a lot of players didn't play he had two massive games for Wales against Russia. He's played all the time and he didn't let us down. In terms of commitment he gave us everything again."

The only game Shearer hasn't started this season was the Carling Cup tie against West Brom. Speed was also rested for that match - coming on at half-time - and for the game at Arsenal.

Few, if any, Premiership stars have played more games than Speed this term, but the Welsh skipper and former England captain remain Robson's dynamic duo.

"Speed is one of the players at this club who would take some shifting in fitness terms," said Robson. "Like Alan he knows how to look after himself. I'll rest them but I'm not going to leave them out - not yet."

Aaron Hughes was Newcastle's best player on Saturday, but Shearer and Speed weren't too far behind against a Wolves side who went at the Magpies from the off. The game, however, hadn't even kicked off when a stray firework threatened to bring proceedings to a halt.

The device flew over the players' heads before hitting Wolves fan Denise Butler. Thankfully her injuries were none too serious and the game went ahead.

Both sides started brightly and on the quarter hour some sublime skill from the impressive Hughes ended with the woodwork coming to the home side's rescue.

Lomana LuaLua found Hughes inside the box on the right and the Northern Ireland international somehow dragged the ball away from the Wolves defence and spun over a superb cross for Shearer. The skipper was forced to volley almost from behind him and saw his effort crash off the crossbar. Wolves responded well and after former Sunderland centre-half Jody Craddock saw a volley drift wide, the home side went ahead.

A hopeful punt forward caused hesitancy in the Magpies defence. Jonathan Woodgate appeared to be waiting for Shay Given to come out and clear but Nathan Blake nipped in between the two and slotted home.

Robson said: "Woodgate didn't deal with it in the way he would at his best. Given's seen him in a bit of trouble, had a rush of blood and got himself in no-man's land.

"Jonathan needs at least two more full-blooded 90 minutes before he's back to the Woodgate we know he can be."

Three minutes later and Wolves could have been two up. Kennedy crossed from the left and Given was alert enough this time to save at the feet of Henri Camara.

The let-off appeared to wake Newcastle and they equalised within 90 seconds. A clever move ended with LuaLua feeding Shearer in the box for the skipper to turn and score across the keeper from ten yards. Referee Steve Bennett then took centre stage with two decisions that caused consternation in both camps.

Just before half-time Blake appeared to be pushed over by Titus Bramble but no foul was given, and in the second half what appeared to be a blatant hand ball by Craddock was again waved away by Bennett. Shearer was far from happy with both decisions.

"I thought the referee had some big decisions to make and didn't get them right for both teams," he said. "The first half incident was fortunate for us. I don't think it was a penalty, but Titus was the last man and you would have thought the referee was going to send him off.

"In the second half the referee said he couldn't see the handball. I was in the same position as him and saw it as well as hearing the ball slap against Craddock's hand." A draw, however, appeared to be the fairest result. Despite Newcastle dominating possession in a poor second half they created no clear chances while Wolves twice hit the woodwork through Joey Gudjonsson and Henri Camara.

Result: Wolves 1 Newcastle United 1.

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