Blackburn Rovers striker Craig Bellamy insists he is happy he quit Newcastle United.

The striker left the club after a fall out with ex-manager Graeme Souness, firstly on loan to Celtic before securing a £5m move to Mark Hughes' side last summer.

Bellamy thinks the Magpies were the worst team they faced in the league this season, even though Rovers lost the match 3-0 at Ewood Park.

"I knew the way the club was going to go," said Bellamy. "I remember when Newcastle came and beat us 3-0 and, no disrespect to them, I thought they were one of the worst sides we've faced here.

"I remember thinking when I walked off the pitch 'I've made the right move in coming here. I know that for a fact because we're going to finish ahead of them'.

"We work a lot harder in training because of the staff we have here. I really hope Newcastle pick up because they've got the players to do that.

"But I knew I'd made the right choice in coming here and (the way we've performed) has proved it."

l Newcastle caretaker boss Glenn Roeder has received good news about both of his injured first-choice strike pair.

Skipper Alan Shearer is set to return to full training after making progress in his recovery from a calf strain and is in line to face Bolton Wanderers at St James' Park on Saturday, while broken-foot victim Michael Owen has been told by doctors that his recovery is ahead of schedule.

Roeder said: "Shearer has not really trained with the squad since he damaged his calf at Aston Villa.

"But he had a good session with our physiotherapist Derek Wright yesterday and if there is no reaction he will be back with the squad on Thursday and we will have a look at things then."

About Owen, he said: "Michael saw his specialist on Monday and had a good look at his latest X-rays.

"He is happy at what he has seen and heard and now it's full steam ahead for him.

"Things are going well for Michael and he is perhaps a week ahead of where we always thought he would be after his injury."