NEWCASTLE United striker Alan Shearer was crowned the Player of the Year at the Prince's Trust North-East Football Awards last night.

The former England striker, whose superb form has helped the Magpies achieve a Champions' League place, also picked up the Goal of the Season trophy.

Shearer's sweet side-foot volley past Aston Villa goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel in November proved a worthy winner.

The 31-year-old was joined on the awards list, at the Federation Breweries Lancastrian Suite, by strike partner Craig Bellamy.

The pacy 22-year-old, who was named the Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year in April, received more joy when he claimed the North-East's Young Player gong.

Bellamy, a £6m Bobby Robson signing last summer, has made a name for himself since moving to St. James' Park.

Newcastle's indifferent form - after the Welshman picked up a knee injury - was evidence of the big impact the former Coventry and Norwich man has had on Tyneside.

There was also double delight for Hartlepool United - who narrowly missed out on a Third Division play-off final place last week.

Pool's top scorer Gordon Watson was named the Nationwide Player of the Year, while goalkeeper Anthony Williams was also noted.

Williams' superb double save from Michael Proctor and Peter Duffield against York City, which won him the Nationwide Save of the Month award for February, earned him the award for the region's Save of the Season.

Whitley Bay's superb exploits in the FA Vase ensured they claimed the Non-League award - the Albany Northern League side take on Tiptree in the final at Villa Park on Saturday.

Sunderland forward Niall Quinn, meanwhile, received the Prince's Trust Trophy - awarded for his work in trying to raise £1m for children's charities.

Chelsea physio Mike Banks has predicted that Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will be fit to battle for the golden boot this weekend.

Banks admits Hasselbaink was not fully fit in last Saturday's final against Arsenal after a hamstring injury

''On Thursday, his hamstring had kept tightening up," said Banks. "He wasn't completely fit but all in all, with everything weighed up, we decided to go ahead and the rest is history.

''But I would expect Jimmy to play (on Saturday) but he won't train before Thursday.

''If he can be there he will be there, and we will assess the injury after that.'

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