SIR Bobby Robson hailed super skipper Alan Shearer after last night's game labelling his performance at Loftus Road as 'awesome'.

Shearer took his Newcastle United goal tally to 154 with his brace against Fulham to earn his side their fourth successive win - sending them into the top half of the Premiership for the first time this season.

Watching England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson must have also been impressed by the erstwhile international captain - but the Newcastle man is one England jewel the Swede knows there is no point in continuing to covet.

Robson said of Shearer: "He was really outstanding - awesome.

"He held the ball up, brought other players in and was very mobile. And he scored two goals. But the goals are just part of the story."

The praise didn't stop there with Fulham manager Chris Coleman - a former teammate of Shearer at Blackburn - weighing in.

Fulham boss Chris Coleman said: "I can't tell you anything you don't know about Alan Shearer.

"He's the best marksman in the Premiership, he has been for years. He's a leader and a winner and he showed that tonight."

Despite his skipper's efforts Robson was also keen to praise other players - including the impressive Lee Bowyer.

Bowyer produced his best performance for the Magpies and Robson believes he's approaching near full fitness.

"His fitness now is almost as good as it was in his prime at Leeds," said Robson. "I would have thought it was his best performance for us. It was a great ball over the top for Shola (for the penalty)."

Robson also confirmed that he expected Craig Bellamy to b out of action until February after his sixth operation on his knees in America yesterday.

He said: "He be out for three to four months - more probably four . It will be all about rehabilitation now for him."

l Barcelona have arranged showdown talks for tomorrow which should decide Patrick Kluivert's future at the club and could smooth his path to the Premiership.

The Dutch striker and his agent will hold discussions with Barca officials to determine whether a transfer in January might benefit all parties. Kluivert is enduring a difficult season in which he has yet to score and has suffered relentless terrace abuse.

Club press spokesman Juanjo Castillo claimed last night that coach Frank Rijkaard has ''thrown in the towel'' in his attempts to raise Kluivert's spirits.

Barca president Joan Laporta said Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd had made enquiries about Kluivert's availability.

But Kluivert, when asked about reports linking him to St James' Park, said: ''I don't want to go to Newcastle, I want to stay here.''