Shearer ready for Magpies job - Lee

Mike Ashley can win over Newcastle's beleaguered fans by appointing Alan Shearer as manager, according to Rob Lee.

Lee expects his former England and Newcastle team-mate will one day take charge at St James' Park and has hinted Shearer would relish the task of reviving his hometown club.

"I can honestly say, yes, Alan Shearer will manage Newcastle," Lee told The Mag, Newcastle's leading fanzine.

"Until now I would have just said that he would one day but I finally believe that he would tomorrow if the job is how he wants it, without all the silly games going on that have killed it," he added.

Magpies idol Shearer has long been considered a future manager of the club. However, with the club embroiled in crisis after crisis since his retirement from playing in 2006, the 38-year-old has repeatedly distanced himself from the role, preferring to remain in his position as a pundit on the BBC's Match of the Day.

Lee, however, believes Ashley, who put the club up for sale following the furore surrounding Kevin Keegan's resignation in September, could win over the fans by appointing Shearer as boss.

"Mike Ashley would solve a lot of his problems by appointing Alan and accepting that mistakes have been made," Lee added.

"Alan could be a priceless get out of jail card. Now is the time to make the club what we all want."

Lee, who spent 10 seasons playing for Newcastle, admitted he would consider returning alongside Shearer.

"Yes I would love to be part of it," he added.