HE has been accused of ruling Newcastle with an iron rod, but Alan Shearer last night claimed his new code of conduct was merely a way of ensuring his players were at training by 10am.

Shearer unveiled his “12 commandments” in an attempt to improve discipline and behaviour last week, with players now facing a fine of up to 40 per cent of their weekly wage if they fail to meet a stringent set of guidelines relating to punctuality and time-keeping.

The hardline stance has led to accusations of authoritarianism, with critics claiming the Magpies manager could be damaging morale at a crucial stage of the season.

Shearer refutes such a suggestion, insisting that his changes have been well received within the Newcastle dressing room.

And while his disciplinary crackdown has made waves elsewhere, the United boss claims it was simply a means of guaranteeing trainingground attendance by 10am, something that has not always been the case in the past.

“People have said I’ve come in and tried to instill discipline and rule with an iron rod, but that’s not the case at all,” said Shearer, who is yet to claim his first victory as Magpies manager.

“There was a system of fines in place, but I’ve decided to increase it.

“I’m just asking players to be on time for work, and I don’t think that’s too much of a problem, particularly when it’s ten o’clock in the morning.

“I’m not asking anyone to do anything ridiculous, not at all. I’m just asking for common sense, to be in on time for training, and to adhere to the same standards that Bobby Robson or Kenny Dalglish asked of me.”

Shearer’s obvious dislike of poor time-keeping has drawn parallels with Roy Keane. The former Sunderland manager was a stickler for punctuality, and famously banned three of his players from travelling to Barnsley for a Championship game after they were late for the team bus.

Eventually, Keane’s hardline stance created divisions within the Stadium of Light dressing room, but Shearer is confident his own clampdown will not have similarly explosive effects.

Instead, the former England international envisages an environment in which basic standards of respect foster an atmosphere of unity and professionalism.

“We’re a professional football club,” said Shearer.

“So you have to be professional and that’s all I’m asking. It’s important for players to come in and feel relaxed, to enjoy training and have a smile on their face, but it’s also very important to be disciplined and professional in what you do. After all, it’s a professional sport and we’re all getting very well paid for it.

“If you’re disciplined on the training side of things, that will eventually happen on the pitch.

We’re only talking about little things, but if every little thing is taken care of then eventually the big things start to take care of themselves as well.

“I’ve tried to make the small things as professional as possible because that should mean the bigger things go that way as well.”

Shearer’s disciplinarian vision received its first major test at the weekend when Joey Barton was dismissed for a reckless challenge against Liverpool.

Barton subsequently clashed with his manager in the Anfield dressing room, and was quickly suspended until further notice despite having three years of his contract to run.

Shearer had a brief conversation with Barton at Newcastle’s Longbenton training ground on Monday, but is refusing to allow speculation over the midfielder’s future to become a distraction ahead of Monday’s crucial Tyne- Tees derby with Middlesbrough.

“I’ve spoken to him very briefly,” he said. “Joey’s been suspended until further notice. The club wants to have a look at a few things and they will make a statement when the time is right, but at the moment there are more important things to talk about.”

Barton will be a notable absentee when Newcastle take on their North-East neighbours in three days time, but while Jose Enrique is unlikely to recover in time to face Boro, Steven Taylor could be involved for the first time in three matches after returning to full training yesterday.

Having been dropped to the substitutes’ bench at Anfield, Michael Owen is also expected to return to the starting line-up for a game that surely represents the Magpies’ only route to salvation.

Shearer was delighted with Owen’s response to last weekend’s disappointment, and expects his skipper to play a pivotal role in the rest of the club’s survival battle.

“I felt it (dropping Owen) was right for that particular game,” said the United boss. “I went through my reasons, and I have to say his reaction has been as you’d expect it would be with the places he’s been to and players he’s played with.

“He was very, very professional, and he could well be involved on Monday evening.”

Shearer's 12 commandments

Thou shalt not be:

Late for a meal at the team hotel

Late for a meeting at the team hotel

Late for a walk at the team hotel

Late arriving at the team hotel

Late for an airport report time

Late for a coach report time

Late reporting to the stadium dressing room

Late for a meeting at the training ground

Late for meals at the training ground

Late reporting for treatment

Late out on to the training pitch

Late arriving for training

■ A first offence will be punished by a fine of 10 per cent of weekly wages. A second offence will be punished by a fine of 20 per cent, while a third offence will be see 40 per cent of wages docked. Any subsequent offences will be punished at Shearer’s discretion.