ALAN Shearer brought some of his team-mates on a hospital visit to cheer up sick youngsters yesterday.

The Newcastle United captain and several of the Magpies squad, including Nobby Solano and Jonathan Woodgate, spent more than an hour with patients on the children's ward at Newcastle General Hospital.

A hospital spokeswoman said: "The kids were delighted by their visit, and so were all the staff.

"The players didn't just come and wave hello from the door.

"They visited each and every child on the ward and spent time with them all, handing out souvenirs and selection boxes."