NEWCASTLE UNITED have admitted that medical tests have come up clear for Joe Kinnear, but there is no way he will return to St James’ Park in a working capacity before the end of the season.

Last week’s appointment of Alan Shearer for the final eight matches of the campaign have sparked suggestions that the club’s legendary former striker will continue in the role beyond May.

Newcastle chiefs, however, insist that Kinnear will return to work when he has made a full recovery from the triple heart bypass surgery that he underwent in February.

While his hopes that he would be back at the training ground ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stoke City proved wide of the mark, Newcastle’s managing director Derek Llambias has been told that Kinnear will soon have made a complete recovery.

The results of the tests he underwent this week have been encouraging, although Llambias admits there is no possibility that Kinnear will be back this season.

“Joe had his tests on Monday and the doctors were pleased with him,” said Llambias.

“He’s lost two stone in weight and has passed all his tests with flying colours. He’s on the mend – in two months time he should be fully fit.”

Since Kinnear replaced Kevin Keegan he has claimed 20 points from his 18 matches, not including the West Brom victory he missed when he had to go to hospital on the morning of the match.

But after owner Mike Ashley brought in Shearer, Llambias insists that everyone at Newcastle is now focused on the task at hand.

And he is convinced that Shearer will deliver the points required to steer Newcastle away from relegation.

“This is basically a new page. It’s imperative we stay up,” said Llambias.

“Alan is the man to do that.

The energy he’s got into the club already and around the town is great.

“We had to weigh up the situation.

We were in a position where we had to make a move, and Alan was the best move.

He was the only person we approached – we felt that was our only choice. He has made a difference, he’s a straight talker.”

Shearer will be boosted by the return to training next week of Mark Viduka, although it remains to be seen how long it will be before the Australian striker is considered for a first team place.

For now, though, the Newcastle boss is only looking towards Stoke, with midfielder Nicky Butt insisting that the trip to the Britannia Stadium has always been vital – regardless of the manager.

“It was always going to be a massive. It was always going to be a tough game no matter who is in charge,” he said.

“But we know what is needed.

It’s one of those games where we’re going to have to roll our sleeves up because they have been excellent at home and a lot of teams have found it a difficult place to go.

“Every match is massive, but this one and the three home games afterwards, have an extra importance because they’re against teams down there at the bottom.”