A GIANT banner in honour of injured Newcastle United captain Alan Shearer was unveiled yesterday.

It measures 25 metres high by 32 metres wide and has been installed above Shearer's Bar, in Newcastle.

The banner covers nearly half the Gallowgate end of St James' Park and can be seen from Gateshead.

The 35-year-old striker hobbled from the pitch on Monday during the Magpies' 4-1 win over Sunderland in the Wear-Tyne derby.

Now the club's main sponsor, Northern Rock, has unveiled the banner in commemoration of his record-breaking ten years at the club.

Dave Henderson, of Northern Rock, said: "This banner is a celebration of Alan Shearer's outstanding performance over the past decade and to thank him in a very public way for giving the club and city ten fantastic years."

The banner will be in place, weather permitting, until Alan Shearer's testimonial game against Celtic, on May 11.

The former England captain is expected to have a scan on his knee on Friday to determine the extent of the injury and to see if he will be fit to play.