Geordie legends plan summit

Keegan spoke to Shearer on Friday night and outlined the position he had in mind, a post which is unlikely to make the former England international a fully-fledged number two, but which would enable him to be groomed as a possible successor to the new Magpies boss.

Despite previously expressing reservations about accepting a non-managerial post, Shearer is understood to have been receptive to Keegan's comments and suggested a face-to-face meeting where the finer details of the proposals could be discussed.

That meeting is currently on hold, though, as Shearer yesterday flew to Uganda to record a series of packages for the BBC's Sport Relief charity appeal.

He is not due to return until the end of the week, and while he is expected to hold another telephone conversation with Keegan at that stage, he may not meet the Newcastle boss on Tyneside until the Magpies have completed a double-header against Arsenal. Newcastle travel to the Emirates Stadium for an FA Cup fourth-round tie on Saturday, before returning in the Premier League three days later.

"I have spoken to him (Keegan) and we had a good conversation," said Shearer, who quipped that his first instruction would be the purchase of a "creative midfielder". "We didn't go into too much detail because I've got a trip to Uganda.

"I'm committed to doing that for the kids over there. I didn't want to get out of it, so we've agreed to have another chat when I get back at the end of the week. I'll give him another ring, have another chat and we'll see where we go.

"He's openly said that (he would like him back), but we have to sit down, speak and see what's right. It has to be right for the football club and we'll decide what goes on from there. I'll speak to them and I'll have a decision to make. We'll decide what's best for everyone."

It seems unlikely that Shearer would accept a marginal coaching role, but while previous Newcastle managers have worked with the 37-year-old's shadow looming over them, Keegan's stature means he will not be threatened by the Magpies legend even if he appoints him as his right-hand man.

Keegan has already installed Arthur Cox in an advisory capacity, and lifelong confidante Terry McDermott will also become increasingly prominent in the new backroom set-up.

But with Nigel Pearson and Steve Round's positions in doubt despite last week's claims that everybody will be given any opportunity to "prove themselves", there could still be room for Shearer to assume considerable responsibility for coaching and preparation.

"Would I be confident with Alan's stature? Yes, I wouldn't have a problem with that at all," said Keegan. "Alan Shearer is going to manage this football club one day, that's for sure.

"It's the same as when I left here as a player - I knew I would come back here as manager if I wanted to. There are some players that are like that, it's a just a case of when.

"That's what I told Alan when I spoke to him ages ago. I said, 'Don't worry Alan, go and play golf, play with your kids, do what you want - but it will come back to you one day. It might be eight months or it might be four years - but it'll come back to you and it'll be yours for the taking'."

Cox, the manager who brought Keegan to St James' Park as a player, begins work today. The 69-year-old was a former assistant of Keegan, and also worked alongside the Magpies manager at Fulham and England.

He has agreed to assume an advisory role in the current set-up, and is confident that Keegan's unique blend of passion and adventure remains as potent as ever.

"Newcastle will certainly be worth watching, and we'll do all we possibly can to move them up the table," said Cox. "I sincerely hope that we're in there among those four, five or six at the top of the league, and playing in a manner that will be appreciated by the supporters.

"He'll (Keegan) be wanting to be in the top six and pressing those four in two seasons, and probably looking at trying to get among the UEFA Cup places this season if it's at all possible.

"I'm surprised at his return to football, but I'm not surprised at his return to Newcastle. It was the only place he would have come back to."

Having built bridges with Shearer after missing his testimonial game at St James', Keegan has also held out an olive branch to Michael Owen.

Owen was extremely critical of Keegan's managerial style in his autobiography, claiming he was "scarred" by the experience of working under the former England manager at Euro 2000.

Keegan proved there was no lingering animosity by handing Owen the captain's armband ahead of Saturday's 0-0 draw with Bolton, and the 28-year-old has also claimed that the episode is now forgotten.

"As far as I am concerned it is not water under the bridge," said Owen. "It is water off a duck's back. I don't see it as an issue now. I described it as the most difficult time of my career, and that feeling about that specific time remains. But I got on fine with Kevin as England manager.

"He generated a great atmosphere and he prided himself on that feelgood factor. I did not have a go at him as a person or his style of football - just with his handling of a situation which left me frustrated."

There have been suggestions that Keegan's arrival would hasten Owen's departure from Tyneside, but Newcastle's record signing insists he is thrilled at the prospect of teaming up with one of the greatest strikers in the history of the English game.

"Kevin's convinced me that there are exciting times ahead for Newcastle," he added.

"I definitely want to be a part of it. You tell me a striker who wouldn't want to play in a team with Kevin Keegan as manager.

"Managers can have different philosophies. For instance, Sam Allardyce might prefer to concentrate on his back four, keep a clean sheet and nick a 1-0 result.

"Kevin Keegan will also want to keep a clean sheet, but he will want to put on an entertaining performance and score plenty of goals - and that means everything to me. He definitely believes in playing more football with plenty of passing and movement. I will settle for that."