CRAIG BELLAMY is anxious to stay in Alan Shearer's good books at Newcastle - because he reckons the former England captain could be his manager one day!

Bellamy, who moved from Coventry in the summer in a £6m deal, is already insisting he wants a job for life with the Magpies.

The Wales striker, preparing to face Belarus in a World Cup qualifier in his home city of Cardiff on Saturday, said: "Maybe Alan will end up manager of Newcastle - it seems to look that way, doesn't it? That's why I'm not going to say anything bad about him!

''Bobby Robson has been wonderful for me and given me the freedom to play.

"You worry sometimes because you know he's not going to be there forever.

''I just hope I can establish myself and keep on Alan's right side. I don't think it's any secret that he's going to be a manager one day.''

Wales, without the suspended Ryan Giggs, hope Bellamy's blistering early-season form - he has five goals - will inspire a first win in their final Group Five match.

Bellamy said: "I've never been happier in football.

"I know I have a lot to learn and I'm nowhere near where I really want to be, but I'm on my way and I will give it my all for club and country.

''I'd easily stay at Newcastle for the rest of my life. If they came up to me next week and offered me a 15-year contract I would snap it up.

''Newcastle is an unbelievable place. I knew it was a big club but now I've found how exceptional it is.

"The club are trying to move forward with big signings and I just want to be part of that.

"I have to thank the boss for giving me the chance. I signed a four-year contract when I joined in the summer and I'd love another one now!''

Bellamy is delighted by the way his partnership with Shearer is shaping up, and said: "I haven't found it intimidating playing alongside him. I will be able to look back one day and say I played alongside Alan Shearer - what a great thing to tell the kids.

"I can learn so much from him about the way he handles himself on and off the pitch.''

Shearer, meanwhile, is working overtime in a bid to regain full match fitness.

The Newcastle skipper looked a little jaded during Sunday's 2-0 home defeat by Liverpool, and admitted that he needs double training sessions to rediscover his old sharpness.

Shearer has scored twice - and seen another docked by the dreaded Dubious Goals Committee - in his six starts since he returned after almost as many months out with knee trouble.

"I must admit I felt a bit heavy-legged on Sunday,'' said Shearer. "As far as my sharpness is concerned, I feel I'm about a yard short of where I'd like to be. I'm taking advantage of the fact that we are without a game until next week to go back for some extra training in the afternoons.''

Shearer underwent career-saving surgery in the United States in May in an attempt to cure a long-term tendinitis problem, and manager Robson said: "People must not forget how long Alan was out with his knee injury.

"Anyone who is out for around six months is going to take a month of playing before they are even approaching match fitness.''

While Robson may be tempted to rest some players for next Tuesday's Worthington Cup third-round trip to First Division strugglers Barnsley, Shearer is sure to lead the line to build up his fitness

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