GARY SPEED is backing Alan Shearer to join Newcastle's 100 Club sooner rather than later.

The skipper was frustrated in his attempts to reach a century of League goals for the Magpies in Saturday's 2-1 home win over former club Southampton.

Shearer's anxiety showed as he picked up his fourth booking of the season when he furiously disputed referee Clive Wilkes' decision to deny him a first-half penalty. The yellow card leaves Shearer one short of a ban.

But he now has the chance to make his goal ton this Saturday at Manchester United, the club he turned down to move to Newcastle from Blackburn in a then-world record £15m deal over six years ago.

Midfielder Speed, at 33 a year older than Shearer and the Magpies' most experienced player, said: "It was a definite penalty. Alan is the same as everyone, he gets frustrated.

"But he does well for us. A lot of work he does goes unnoticed - he's not just a goalscorer. There's no-one better than him and he'll get that goal.''

Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson said: "I'm not sweating on that and I'm sure Alan isn't. If he gets suspended, it's for one match and we have Carl Cort fit and looking like a player now, and Shola Ameobi, Lomana LuaLua and Michael Chopra to call on. We will compensate.''

Robson confirmed Shearer was "very frustrated'' when he was hauled down by Saints keeper Antti Niemi.

And Shearer revealed: "At half-time, the referee said: 'If I've made a mistake, I apologise.' At least he's big enough to say that, but I know he's made a mistake.

"Once again, though, we've come back from a goal down, which shows character.''

Initially, Newcastle looked to be suffering a hangover from their Champions' League victory over Feyenoord in Rotterdam.

And Shearer admitted: "Although we still haven't lost when we've come back from a European game, I can see why Liverpool, Man. United and Arsenal, having played in the Champions' League, sometimes find it hard recovering.

"You don't realise how tough it is until you're in it, especially with all the travelling. Believe me, it's hard work."

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