GLENN Roeder reckons Newcastle United's young tyros will give Alan Shearer his elusive first piece of St James' silverware.

At 32, Shearer is the head prefect in Sir Bobby Robson's footballing nursery that is growing up fast in the Premiership cauldron.

The striker's driving ambition as he edges towards retirement is to break his Tyneside trophy drought, more than six years after pulling on a black and white shirt.

And after watching his West Ham United team crumble against Newcastle's vibrant young team on Monday, Roeder believes Shearer will be adding to his glittering CV shortly.

Roeder is a devout Shearer fan after working with the striker for more than two years during Glenn Hoddle's ill-fated England reign.

Having seen him spearhead the start of Newcastle's title challenge two days ago, West Ham manager Roeder can see a bright future for Shearer and his teammates.

He said: "If anyone can get close to Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United - last season's one-two-three - it will be this young Newcastle squad in the next couple of years.

"Having done so well last season to get in the Champions League, going that extra mile will be the hardest thing. But Bobby Robson has bought the sort of young players that I would love to have been in the position to buy.

"And Alan Shearer still epitomises everything you could want in a professional.

"If you worked with him on the training ground on a daily basis, you'd be prepared to go to war with him on your side.

"He holds the ball up so well, and he did the right thing by calling quits on his international career.

"In an emergency, he could still pull on that England shirt and play well.

"But he looks full of energy, and now he's got all these young players around him who hold him in the highest regard.

"He was 32 last week but I'm sure he'll have another fruitful season."

As the years and countless operations catch up with Shearer, the striker is clearly helped by the number of dynamic, pacy youngsters who occupy the other black and white shirts.

The arrival of teenage midfielders Jermaine Jenas and Hugo Viana has impressed Roeder, who added: "Jermaine was a player we were very interested in but we could never raise the funds.

"I think he's a wonderful talent, and I've heard great things about Hugo Viana after the European Under-21 Championships.

"Kieron Dyer is another top-drawer international, and if he stays fit he'll improve.

"The whole squad is still young and I can only see them getting better each season."

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