Alan Shearer yesterday urged English fans to back Sven Goran Eriksson, even though he admitted: "It's a shame the job has not gone to an Englishman."

Former England skipper Shearer echoed the views of his Newcastle boss Bobby Robson following the FA's appointment of the Swede.

Shearer said: "I'm sure we have got good English coaches and if not something has gone wrong. It's a shame it's not an Englishman.

"But if we had to go outside this country there's probably not a better man. He has a tremendous CV and he has won just about everything there is to win in football."

Shearer, talking at the launch of a nationwide schools' football initiative, added: "I'm sure he'll bring in some new coaching methods and it'll be great if he's successful."

Shearer, confirmed his desire to stay in the game, either coaching or managing, when his playing career ends. "Football is all I know," he said.

Shearer supervised the first session of the Umbro Schools Football Initiative with 30 children at the launch at East Durham and Houghall Community College in Peterlee.

Coaches will go into 1,500 schools to encourage thousands of pupils to take up the game and Shearer said: "It's great. The earlier we can catch kids' interest the better."

l If Sven Goran Eriksson decides he needs a sweeper to mop up for England he should talk it over with Bobby Robson.

Robson reckons he has just the man at Newcastle in converted midfielder Rob Lee.

The United boss yesterday bracketed Lee in the same company as legendary German greats Lothar Matthaus and Matthias Sammer following another command performance in his new role against Bradford on Wednesday night.

Lee may be 34, but Robson hinted he could go on for years in a position that promises to extend his career beyond a testimonial next season.

Robson said: "He could become a permanent fixture in that role if I want to play that way.

"He needs two strong defensive partners but the position suits him. He's like Matthaus and Sammer. He passes the ball so well and he only has to run half the pitch.

"Rob loves it because he can pass and play on the ball and come away with it. It's the first time I've tried it at home and now I have to decide whether to keep playing that way."

Lee, who recently signed an extension on his contract that will see him complete at least ten years on Tyneside, is likely to view the switch as an opportunity to carve out a fresh niche.

Goal hero Steve Caldwell, who scored Newcastle's winner in the 4-3 victory over Bradford, could be back on the bench tomorrow against Ipswich if Aaron Hughes recovers from a virus.

Alan Shearer yesterday praised the new South American rhythm on Tyneside as Newcastle prepared for an emotional meeting with boss Robson's former club.

Peruvian Nolberto Solano, Argentinian Daniel Cordone and Chilean Clarence Acuna have impressed helped Shearer.

"Nobby's crossing is fantastic, Daniel scored a fine goal on Wednesday and Clarence has really dug in," said Shearer, who hopes to benefit from more of the tango beat tomorrow