ALAN SHEARER has given himself two years to realise his dream of winning the title with Newcastle - but believes this could be the season.

Skipper Shearer, who fired Blackburn to the Premiership crown under former Magpies boss Kenny Dalglish in 1995, makes the 600th appearance of his club career when Newcastle launch their title bid at Leeds tomorrow afternoon.

Shearer celebrated his 33rd birthday this week when Sir Bobby Robson's side secured a 1-0 victory away to Partizan Belgrade in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier.

The former England captain only has a year left on his contract, and yesterday made the surprise admission that he has received no concrete assurances over his future, even though he is eager to sign a one-year extension.

But Shearer's immediate focus is solely on the Premiership curtain-raiser against Peter Reid's Leeds - and the need to get off to a winning start in the title race.

Shearer insists that any one of five teams - champions Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and his beloved Newcastle, can rule come May.

"I say every year that we should win something, but you have to earn the right,'' said Shearer.

"It's going to be another long, hard season and the teams that come away with silverware deserve it.

"I don't think we're far away at all; we're all confident and we'll work our socks off.

"You're going to have the usual suspects and you're going to have a surprise package as well.

"Chelsea will be stronger with all their new players, as will Liverpool with their additions.

"Man. United have improved and they'll be up there with Arsenal, and we're hoping - and determined - that we'll be up there as well.

"I think we have a better squad at Newcastle than we had at Blackburn when we won the title, but we had an unbelievable will to win that was instilled by Kenny Dalglish. He didn't know how to get beaten.

"We've finished fourth and third in the last two years and it's going to be tough.

"We'll know come Christmas whether we're going to be in with a shout of winning the league.

"More teams can win it now, so it's harder to win it. There are definitely five who can go on and win it.

"The standard has improved since we won it at Blackburn in '95, particularly with all the foreigners who have come into our game.

"But the longer everyone spends together here, the better we're going to get.''

As he reaches another milestone in his illustrious career, Shearer admits: "I'm very proud of that - I didn't realise it was 600 until someone mentioned it.

"Looking back at the injuries I've had, it makes it a bit more special. Winning the league at Blackburn was a great occasion; especially how we started and where Blackburn came from.

"My first game here for Newcastle was very special, and we all know why. There have been some lows too, with the injuries and the semi-final and final defeats.

"But I'm enjoying playing as much as I've ever done. As you get older, you appreciate it a lot more. I don't know how long I've got left in the top flight - hopefully a couple of years.

"That's why I get up - my motivation is to get a piece of silverware here at Newcastle.''

Shearer concedes: "We should possibly be discussing my contract. Nothing has been talked about yet, but I don't see it as my last season. I feel fit and strong at the moment.''

Robson said: "Alan will go on as long as he's fit and can command a place in the team.

"When you look at the time he's had out in his career with injuries, he possibly could have played another 100 games and scored another 30 goals.

"What he has achieved is amazing.''