NEWCASTLE United boss Bobby Robson yesterday ruled out £7m striker Carl Cort until the New Year and confessed: "Thank God for Alan Shearer.''

The United skipper leads his side out at Leicester today, just as he has in every match since Robson took charge of the Magpies 15 months ago.

Robson underlined how crucial 30-year-old Shearer is after the crushing blow of losing Cort for at least two more months following surgery on a hamstring problem which has already kept him out for over six weeks.

"I don't think I've ever relied on one player as much as Alan," said Robson. "I shudder to think what we'd do if we ever lost him.

"Things were falling around us last season - but he never fell down. It's been the same this season.

"He has never missed a match and I have hung my hat on him because he is so crucial to us.''

Robson revealed that he pulled Shearer out of training as a precaution on Thursday after he experienced a "hamstring twinge''.

But the United manager insisted: "He refuses to be wrapped in cotton wool because he likes work. I've just got to protect him a little bit because he suffers from tonsillitis in winter and I get in a sweat over that.

"But I don't have to study his contract because he is one player who earns every penny he gets.

"I just hope he can continue to do what he did last year - keep himself in good shape and get out on a Saturday to battle for this club.''

Former England captain Shearer grabbed the goals that beat Robson's old club Ipswich 2-1 at St James' Park a week ago.

And Robson enthused: "He was magnificent and I have told our young players just to look at him and learn."

Shearer has scored four goals in two games and will carry the burden of Newcastle's attacking ambitions again at Filbert Street in the absence of Cort, fellow hamstring victim Kevin Gallacher and the suspended Lomana Lualua.

Cort has figured in only five games since arriving from Wimbledon in the summer.

But Robson said: "We have done the right thing because the surgeon said the injury would not get better. It was a chronic condition that needed an operation.

"Carl has broken down three times with it and he might even have had it last season, but the worst is over.

"He will be a miss but we feel we have enough to keep going until he returns after Christmas."

Kieron Dyer, named in Peter Taylor's England squad for next Wednesday's friendly against Italy in Turin, will today have a first-hand opportunity to impress the caretaker-coach.

"Kieron deserves to be in that England squad," stressed Robson. "He would have been in my squad if I'd been in charge and I'm sure he would have been in Kevin Keegan's squad as well.

"Kieron is only 21 and he's learning all the time. He's putting his career first now and when he learns to beat the keeper and get his final pass right, he's going to be a pretty complete player because his energy, running and working for the team is splendid."

Leeds are reported to be tracking £6m Dyer, but Robson issued a hands-off warning. "He's not available,'' he said.

"I've not paid any attention to the story. I would only pay attention if David O'Leary rang me up, but he hasn't done that.

"We wouldn't even think about selling Kieron. After Manchester United, there is no bigger club in England than Newcastle, so Leeds would be wasting their time."

Robson, who would have been working alongside Leicester boss Taylor next week if the Newcastle board had given their blessing, will wish him luck - after today's game.

"I don't know much about Peter but I have bumped into him from time to time and I know what a good job he has done in following Martin O'Neill at Leicester," said Robson.

"I will be having a few words with him after the match and no doubt Kieron's name will crop up.''

Third-placed Leicester have been the Premiership's surprise package this season and Robson conceded: "They're a difficult nut to crack and they have been very consistent.

"That's what we need to be. We got salvation last season and now we're on to phase two. We have to be more ruthless as well as consistent. We have to go on a run of six, seven or eight games where we're difficult to beat.''

Robson's squad, however, is still ravaged by injuries, with 12 players under treatment.

Apart from Cort, Warren Barton, Nikos Dabizas, Marcelino, Nolberto Solano, Carl Serrant, Jamie McClen, Des Hamilton, Olivier Bernard, Kevin Gallacher, Diego Gavilan and David Beharall are all sidelined.

Steve Caldwell is joined in the squad by younger brother Gary, also a defender, midfielder Brian Kerr and striker Shola Ameobi.

"We have some good-quality kids here,'' said Robson.

Andy Griffin is likely to come in at right wing-back following the loss of hamstring victim Solano.

l Spanish defender Marcelino, who has been out with a mystery groin injury since recovering from a dislocated finger, will be sent to the FA's rehabilitation centre at Lilleshall for two weeks' intensive treatment