SKIPPER Alan Shearer has told Newcastle United that he is set to miss the rest of the season.

The former England captain is due to arrive back from America where he was advised by eminent knee specialist Dr Richard Steadman to rest for at least a month in a bid to cure a long-term tendinitis problem.

If that fails, Shearer admits he faces the prospect of a return to the United States and further surgery on his troublesome left knee.

The 30-year-old striker attended the Steadman-Hawkins clinic in Vale, Colorado after breaking down in a practice match two weeks ago with pain in the knee on which he underwent an operation at Christmas.

When Shearer made his comeback in the home game against Manchester City a month ago after nine weeks out, his ahead-of-schedule return was hailed as testimony to his determination and remarkable powers of recovery.

But now it seems the decision to play again, more than a month earlier than originally anticipated, has had disastrous consequences.

Shearer also played in the draw at Everton, but Newcastle boss Bobby Robson admitted he was "nowhere near'' being fit for the home derby defeat by Middlesbrough a week ago.

Geordie hero Shearer, who was accompanied on his visit to the States by United physio Paul Ferris, revealed news of Dr Steadman's verdict via a club statement yesterday.

"I've had two consultations with Dr Steadman and I've been told to rest my knee for at least four weeks,'' confirmed Shearer.

"Then he will review the situation again.

"He told me that the surgery I had in December and the rehabilitation programme were both fine and there's a chance that rest will resolve the problem.

"If not, I might have additional minor surgery which would probably keep me out for the rest of the season.''

It is understood that Shearer, who played with the problem last summer during his international swansong at Euro 2000, is suffering inflammation of the tendon.

He has ruled himself out of the games against Bradford, Ipswich, West Ham and Sunderland, but his season is almost certainly as good as over.

And the lingering fear on Tyneside is that Shearer's career could soon be over as well.