SIR BOBBY ROBSON last night hailed Wayne Rooney as the answer to England's prayers in the search for a new Alan Shearer.

Newcastle manager Robson, whose struggling side face the threat of a rampant Rooney at Everton this afternoon, is more convinced than ever that the 17-year-old striker is ready-made to fill the void created by Shearer's retirement from international football three years ago.

Since then, Liverpool's Michael Owen has had to carry the burden of the country's goalscoring ambitions.

But now Rooney, who has opened his England goal account with two in as many games, is emerging as an attacking talisman.

And former England boss Robson declared: "I don't think there's any doubt he can replace Alan Shearer.

"Is there a better young talent in the world, never mind Europe and England? He's not yet 18, and his strength, power and ability to turn defenders is great.

"If he continues being a good professional, works hard, looks to improve and be a team player, the country has a wonderful talent because he does everything you want."

Rooney returns to his home ground today after his exciting exploits with England against Macedonia and Liechtenstein.

The performance against the latter was his best so far for England, and Robson added: "The conqueror is coming back to the coliseum.

"I thought he was terrific the other night - we have a special specimen in the boy."

Everton manager David Moyes reckons Rooney's goal at Charlton this season bore all the hallmarks of a Shearer strike.

But as former England captain Shearer prepares to attempt to repair the damage caused by Newcastle's dismal start to the campaign, he calls for some restraint in the hype surrounding Rooney - for the youngster's sake.

"He'll be full of confidence and understandably so," said Shearer. "But I think it's unfair to describe him as a great player. It's fair to say he's got great potential and that's there for all to see.

"There's going to be pressure on him whether he likes it or not because of what he's already done. Both him and his club will have to handle it, and up to now they've done that very well.

"The people around him, like David Moyes, will protect him as much as they can.

"He has a great arrogance about him - and I mean that in the right way. He's got a great strut about him.

"The way he plays and the aura around him suggests he feels he belongs at the top. He certainly has the potential to stay there for a very long time. With him and Owen up front, the future looks very good for England.

"As a forward, he looks pretty much to have everything. He has a big presence, he's strong and quick and has a great shot on him.

"If you're going to compare him to me, in the short time I've seen him he goes for a lot of power rather than accuracy - and that hasn't done me any harm over the years.

"We'll have our hands full with him. I hope the two games have taken a lot out of him, but somehow I don't think that will be the case.''

Third-bottom Newcastle have picked up only one point from three games and Shearer admitted: "It's been a hell of a long two weeks, particularly for me and the players who haven't been away on international duty.

"The spirit among the lads who have been here has been excellent, despite what's happened with our start to the season. We all believe it's just a blip.

"We're working hard and trying to get it right, but it's hard when 50 to 60 per cent of the squad have been away."

For the first time since he took charge of Newcastle four years ago, Robson's ability to maintain the club's momentum is being questioned by some.

But the Magpies' boss insists: "I don't feel any pressure at all. I'm up for the fight - I always am.

"The manager will always get stick when things aren't going right - hopefully the chairman won't get it and the players won't.

"This is only our fourth League match. What we have to do is stop making individual mistakes; it's not team strategy that's costing us.

"What we need at Everton is everybody in the team being a tough guy because it's going to be a tough match."

Robson has spoken to striker Craig Bellamy in the aftermath of the bitter row with Wales over his inclusion in the side that faced Italy in the Euro 2004 qualifier a week ago.

Newcastle were worried that Bellamy would aggravate a knee problem, but Robson said: "I've spent some time with Craig and his knee is fine. He feels a lot better. He did a double training session on Tuesday and a double session on Thursday."

Bellamy was ruled out of Wales' midweek qualifier with Finland after being booked in Milan, and Robson added: "I don't know if he would have been fit for Wednesday, but he'd been booked so that sorted that.''

Robson revealed the misery suffered by midfielder Jermaine Jenas, who was forced to withdraw from the England Under-21 squad after having his wisdom teeth extracted.

"He hasn't been very well,'' said Robson. "He had his wisdom teeth out on both sides and his mouth was in a mess - it was full of poison."

Defender Jonathan Woodgate is almost certainly ruled out again with a stomach muscle problem, but winger Laurent Robert is set for a recall.

* Newcastle's trip to Fulham on Wednesday, October 15 has been put back to Tuesday, October 21.

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