NEWCASTLE United yesterday dismissed fans who labelled Alan Shearer the most disliked player in football.

Coach Mick Wadsworth said: "It's sad and disappointing when you consider everything Alan has done for England.

"But I know what the people of Tyneside think and what Bobby Robson thinks. So we don't give two jots."

Wadsworth was speaking for boss Robson, who has lost his voice. It is not known whether he is speechless over his side's sparkling start to the season or the attack on Shearer.

Former England skipper Shearer emerged as Public Enemy No.1 with 35 per cent of the votes in a poll of 40,000 fans on website Football 365.

But Wadsworth said: "There is an air of nastiness in Britain which causes people to knock down those who have done well for club or country.

"It's a perverse view and I find it quite sad. It has never been part of my mentality. I admire all the ingredients that make great footballers.

"But Alan uses it as a motivational factor because people don't often dislike bad players. It's an inverse accolade."

Shearer, scorer of more than 300 career goals, will be fired up for another reason today on his final return to The Dell before Southampton move to a new stadium.

It's the last chance for the 30-year-old striker to finish on the winning side at the ground where he started his career.

Shearer was only 18 months old when Newcastle last won at The Dell, in February 1972.

But despite eight barren visits he insisted: "We surely won't have a better chance of breaking our so-called jinx.

"I know I've said it before, but I'd love to bury that hoodoo. The Dell has always been a difficult place for teams to go.

"I scored last season when we lost 4-2 and I'd be happy not to score this time provided we win.

"We are playing with a lot of confidence and we want to keep our good run going."

The Dell jinx doesn't bother Wadsworth, who said: "These things happen in football. We have laid one or two bogeys in the past year and it's not a concern to us."

Carl Cort, who was relegated at Southampton with Wimbledon last season, is likely to start on the bench after missing the last three games through a hamstring injury.

Cort described his last trip to The Dell as "the worst moment of my career''.

But the £7m striker added: "I'm going back with a different club and a team playing with great spirit. It's up to the manager, but obviously I hope to be involved."

Robson was rocked yesterday by news that Warren Barton faces a six-week lay-off after aggravating a groin injury in training.

Vice-captain Barton may not play again until November.

But, luckily for United, Didier Domi is back in contention along with Andy Griffin.

Robert Lee, Stephen Glass, Nikos Dabizas, Marcelino, and Cristian Bassedas are all out, but Wadsworth insisted: "We aren't moaning.''

Argentinian midfielder Bassedas is set to return to training after failing to make a competitive appearance since his £3.5m summer arrival from Velez Sarsfield, because of a broken foot.

l Welsh international Robert Ullathorne could get the chance to revive his Premiership career at Newcastle.

The former Norwich and Leicester defender has been in rehabilitation with Real Zaragoza in Spain since breaking his leg in two places 17 months ago.

Ullathorne, 28, played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Darlington and Wadsworth confirmed: "He's a free agent and we are happy to look at him.

"He's physically in very good condition."