Laurent Robert is ready to take over the penalty duties at Newcastle should Alan Shearer decide he's had enough of being put on the spot.

Shearer's late miss against Ipswich on Saturday, his fourth in 27 attempts for the club, allowed Chelsea to cut the gap on Newcastle to three points in the race for a Champions League place.

And while the former England skipper insists he will continue to shoulder the responsibility, French winger Robert is willing to step up if he changes his mind.

He said: "It's still Shearer's job to take the penalties. I would have taken it with pleasure but it's absolutely no problem to me.

"I just want to finish the season well. In our position we can't afford to look behind us.

"All the teams above us still have big games to play, so it's not over yet. The ball is in our court. We must win our next league game against Everton - but before that of course we have the FA Cup replay at Arsenal."

Robert's return to form has been one of the plusses for boss Bobby Robson. The £10m forward scored one goal and made another for Shearer in the 2-2 draw with Ipswich. However, former Newcastle favourite Chris Waddle believes Robert should be doing even more for the cause.

Waddle, who watched the Frenchman last weekend, said: "He's definitely talented but at times he doesn't look interested. To tell the truth, I don't think he appreciates what he has got at St James' Park.

"I know Bobby Robson has tried bullying him and substituting him but now it's down to the player. Perhaps if he dropped into the second or third division he might appreciate it more.

"He has to show a bit more energy and run off the ball more instead of waiting for it to come to his feet. You'd expect him to get up and down the line like Nobby Solano."

Meanwhile, the Newcastle boss will check on Kieron Dyer tonight in the reserve game against Manchester City before deciding whether to hand the England midfielder his first start in 11 games at the weekend.

* Preston have confirmed that Kelham O'Hanlon will remain in charge for the rest of the season.

O'Hanlon, who took charge of first-team affairs when David Moyes left for Everton, was initially appointed caretaker boss for North End's derby with Burnley last Sunday.

* Portsmouth have placed 16 players on the transfer list as they attempt to cut their wage bill.

The move came yesterday after the club clinched the signing of Svetoslav Todorov from West Ham for £750,000 - but they are looking for other players to make way.