ALAN SHEARER was last night held up as the shining example for Bayer Leverkusen's World Cup star Oliver Neuville to emulate if he is to derail Newcastle United's Champions League bandwagon.

While Leverkusen's caretaker-coach Thomas Hourster insisted Shearer epitomises all that is good about English football, he accused Neuville of not trying in last Tuesday's 3-1 defeat to Newcastle.

Neuville, who was an important member of the Germany team that reached the World Cup final last summer, has scored just twice in 23 appearances this season.

The 29-year-old was dropped to the bench for Saturday's Bundesliga victory at Hannover after his anaemic display against the Magpies.

But after setting up the winning goal at the weekend, he could force his way back into the starting line-up at St James' Park for a match Hourster described as a "distraction" during Leverkusen's domestic relegation battle.

Hourster said: "I'd be delighted to have a player in my squad who had Alan Shearer's determination and skill. He's a very special player; a strong player, and he is someone who is very highly rated in Germany.

"He was featured in a recent article in Germany's biggest football magazine, Kicker, alongside Thierry Henry, which shows what people think of his ability.

"Olivier Neuville is a very good player, too, but his problem at the moment is determination.

"He showed a lack of determination in the match against Newcastle, and that was why he was a substitute on Saturday.

"Determination is the biggest ingredient a player needs, and Neuville now has the opportunity to prove he possesses that.

"I hope he will prove that he has the determination required in our current situation against Newcastle."

Germany midfielder Carsten Ramelov, who missed last week's game at the BayArena with a knee injury, will play tonight after he came through Saturday's match.

Argentina defender Diego Placente is also available after he sat out the first Champions League tie between the two sides.

But key defender Jens Nowotny and striker Ulf Kirsten are still sidelined, while midfielder Hanno Balitsch is suspended.

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