BARCELONA defender Patrik Andersson will "take care" of Alan Shearer when he comes face to face with his former Blackburn Rovers teammate at St James' Park tonight.

Andersson was with Shearer for 14 months at Blackburn in 1992 and 1993, when the Newcastle United striker was starting his Premiership reign of terror.

The Sweden international, who has won 96 caps, is well aware of Shearer's return to form over the past season-and-a-half and rates him as the Magpies' main dangerman.

Andersson, 31, said: "Shearer is looking in good shape and we will have to take care of him.

"He's a great person, and he's also a player who can score from almost everywhere.

"Unfortunately, he had a bad injury when I was at Blackburn, but his goalscoring record speaks for itself.

"Newcastle have top-quality players up front. Craig Bellamy, with his pace, is a danger as well."

Barcelona coach Raddy Antic is best known in England for scoring the goal in 1983 that preserved Luton Town's First Division status and sparked David Pleat's famous celebration on the Maine Road pitch.

He said: "Alan Shearer is always the big danger in the Newcastle team.

"But they have a number of players in their team who can score goals, which is important for any team.

"Newcastle have been very unlucky in the Champions League this season but their League results have been very good and that's where it matters.

"They are not far behind Arsenal and Manchester United in the table, and this will be a good test for my team."

Andersson insisted Barca's under-strength side would not give Newcastle an easy ride, even though the visitors are already through to the quarter-finals.

He said: "I'm really proud to wear the Barcelona shirt, and when you wear it you are under an obligation to give 100 per cent.

"We haven't been playing good football for a couple of weeks and we have to find our form. This is a really important game for us."