ONE goal in nine games represents Alan Shearer's worst lean spell for nearly two-and-a-half years.

Even when the Newcastle skipper last endured such a barren run, it was only the Dubious Goals Panel who denied him another effort, ruling that the winner in the epic 4-3 victory here over Manchester United should go down to visiting defender Wes Brown rather than Shearer.

Sir Bobby Robson knows his captain is in the midst of a genuine drought, and attributes it to sub-standard service from the flanks.

So Newcastle fans may wonder why wise old sage Sir Bobby chose to dispense with the Magpies' most consistent crosser of a ball when he allowed Nolberto Solano to join Aston Villa just before the transfer window closed.

The manager's answer is simple: We have the men for the job.

Robson is convinced that in Kieron Dyer, who was pressed into Solano's old right-wing role against Leicester, Darren Ambrose and Lee Bowyer, he is well covered in that position.

Maybe he is, but can they deliver a ball like Solano?

With Laurent Robert missing on the left because of a knee injury, Newcastle lost much of their width - and Shearer virtually all of his service.

Dyer tended to drift inside and, though Hugo Viana performed well as a stand-in for Robert, he can't beat defenders and whip in centres like the Frenchman.

Newcastle's Gary Speed became the first player to reach 400 Premiership appearances, and there was another milestone for Shearer - his 300th game for the club.

But a sullen-looking Shearer clearly wasn't in the mood to celebrate when it ended with his 79th-minute withdrawal, moments after he had missed the sort of chance he would normally snaffle.

Jermaine Jenas was keen to return the compliment after Shearer had hooked in the cross for the midfielder to end his own famine on the hour and head his first goal in 33 games.

Jenas' dogged work later created a close-range opening for Shearer, but he shot narrowly wide and has now gone five games without scoring.

At 33, Shearer has still managed 17 goals this season, but Robson admitted: "It's one in nine now and we'd like to see him score - and he knows that.

"But we have to improve our flank play. If it's good, it means we're getting in behind full-backs and placing balls into the box, and Alan will become a predator again.

"Flank play gives Alan up to 40 per cent of his game. He still has to work the gullies himself, but his hold-up play and challenging was quite good in this game, and if we improve our flank play, we'll help him to get back on the goal trail.

"Provided flank play becomes proficient, I still see him as our most likely goalscorer.

"It underlines how important Laurent is to us, but I don't think Hugo let us down. He used the ball very intelligently and delivered it across goal from a semi-outside left position. We didn't miss Laurent so much because Hugo was fairly effective.

"We let a fine player go in Solano, but we have Dyer. He did very well, he's quick and he'll get in behind people.

"I took him off because he got a double whack and he was bit battered and breathless. His chest was sore - I think he thought he'd been hit by a bus.

"But we brought Ambrose on and we know he is going to make it. We see him every day and we like him. We have to open the door and give the kid a chance.

"Bowyer is almost ready to return from injury, so we have a lot of players in that position and Nobby knew that.''

Robson insisted Shearer's exit had nothing to do with his miss, and that it was purely to facilitate a look at Michael Bridges following his loan arrival from Leeds.

"This is only the second time I've taken Alan off this season,'' said Robson. "I had Wednesday's game at Blackburn in mind and I wanted to save his energy and his legs.

"I wish he'd scored just before I took him off when he swivelled and shot, but I'd already made my mind up to take him off. I needed to see Michael - I think Alan understood.''

At the same time, Robson threw on Craig Bellamy in place of Shola Ameobi. England Under-21 striker Ameobi, in his first start since fracturing a cheekbone at Charlton on December 20, claimed Newcastle's 29th-minute opener and his fifth goal of the season, after his 20-yard drive was deflected off Gerry Taggart.

Worse was to follow for the Leicester defender in the 36th minute when he sliced Olivier Bernard's cross against the underside of the bar and just over the line.

Shearer might have afforded himself a wry smile within a minute of his withdrawal, when Les Ferdinand - the striker with whom he formed his most effective partnership in a black and white shirt - pulled a goal back for Leicester.

Fellow substitute Jordan Stewart swung in a great cross and Ferdinand beat Jonathan Woodgate to power in a trademark header.

The irony wouldn't have been lost on Shearer either, when Bridges fluffed his big chance three minutes later after a mix-up with Bellamy.

The hapless Taggart failed to deal with a long ball and Bellamy ran on to it before leaving it for Bridges, who with only goalkeeper Ian Walker to beat miscued his shot. An incredulous Robson said: "They just messed it up. Michael doesn't know how he missed the ball - and neither do I. He's probably missed the biggest sitter of his life.''

What's the betting that Shearer would have scored?

Result: Newcastle United 3 Leicester City 1.

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