ALAN SHEARER, the greatest English striker of his generation, last night confirmed he will retire at the end of next season.

Shearer, 33, expects to sign a one-year extension to his contract today that will tie him to Newcastle United until May 2005.

The Newcastle captain had always claimed he did not want to play beyond his 35th birthday, and his new deal will take him to within three months of that date.

Shearer, widely touted as Sir Bobby Robson's likely successor, yesterday refused to rule out a managerial career in the future - although there is no provision for that, or any coaching work, in his contract.

He said: "This will be my last contract. I don't think saying that will come back to haunt me.

"I've always said I'd retire at the top and this is where I want to finish my career.

"We've been talking about the extension for some time. I'm pleased it's been agreed, and I'm confident I can get it done before Saturday's game.

"I haven't made any firm plans for the future; I'm keeping my options open.

"I definitely haven't ruled out management, but there's nothing in the contract regarding management or coaching.

"I enjoy my media work. I enjoy going to football matches, and the media work keeps me involved with the England scene because I get to go to all the games.

"People will say there's a career in that for me, and maybe they're right. But maybe there's a career in something else for me."

Robson believes Shearer, who was on the verge of quitting Newcastle in 1999 before Ruud Gullit left and was replaced by the former England manager, is correct to quit in 2005.

Robson said: "It's good news because Alan is a big leader here. He's precious to us and he's still very much part of the scene here.

"Alan made the right decision for himself when he decided to leave international football, even though that must have been terrible for him to do.

"He left when people still remembered him as a really good international; he didn't go on a downward spiral in any way.

"I'm sure he's made the right decision about his club career, too. He'll leave when people think, 'Wow, what a player'; he won't go and play in the Third Division.

"If we get the ball into the box and give him some service, he'll knock it in. He needs things happening around him, of course, but he's still a fine player."

Shearer is yet to win a trophy with Newcastle, whom he joined for £15m in 1996, and yesterday's announcement means he has no more than eight attempts left at picking up a winner's medal.

"I don't care which cup I win - I'll take any of them," he said with a smile. "It would be disrespectful to the other players here to say it hurts me more than it hurts them when we get knocked out of a competition.

"But speaking for myself, it hurt like hell when we went out of the FA Cup last year, and then it was the same with the Champions League this year. The rest of them are hurting, but time isn't on my side. When you're a youngster, you probably don't see the full picture.

"I've had enough cracks at winning a trophy since I came here, and time does fly by."

Jonathan Woodgate is still struggling to be fit for tomorrow's trip to Everton as he continues his recovery from a stomach problem.

Jermaine Jenas is also doubtful after having a number of teeth removed, but goalkeeper Shay Given should be fit after knee and neck injuries.

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