ALAN SHEARER does not want to become the new assistant manager at Newcastle United, although Kevin Keegan can still see a role for the club's record goalscorer on his backroom staff.

Keegan spent four hours with Shearer on Thursday night when they discussed the possibility of forming what many in the North-East have viewed as the dream ticket.

After learning of the former Newcastle captain's feelings about a role as Keegan's right-hand man, further discussions are planned for Monday to discover whether or not Shearer will be introduced on to the coaching team in some capacity.

It is Keegan's long-term dream to groom the man he signed for £15m in 1996 into becoming his successor at St James' Park, knowing the former England captain has no intention of taking on managerial roles elsewhere despite being lined with the Southampton post.

"I can see Alan Shearer being attractive to any club but I think the only one he wants to manage is this one," said Keegan, ahead of today's FA Cup fourth round trip to Arsenal. "This job will come for Alan. The perfect scenario is for him to come in with me, get more involved as time goes on and eventually take over from me.

"I have three-and-a-half years on my contract here, I will nearly be 60 and in a perfect world that sounds like it would make sense. But that is a perfect world and let's wait and see what he comes back with."

Shearer will discuss a possible post at Newcastle with his wife, Lainya, over the weekend, and there is a suggestion of a part-time role working with the strikers will be his first senior coaching job.

The 37-year-old would then be allowed to continue his work on Match of the Day as a pundit, but it would also offer a high-profile first step back on to the training field.

He is due to qualify for his Pro Licence this summer and Keegan said: "We had a great chat and at the end of it he said 'I don't want to come as a No2 at the moment.' That is clear.

"He is interested in coming and joining us. There is no pressure on him to join us and it is whether he wants to. I know there is a place here for Alan.

"What role? He has to look at the options and then we can decide. Coaching the strikers would be - wow!

"If we get strikers in and we have Alan here to work with them that would be fantastic. But he can offer more than that.

"When he stands and talks to players, and defenders, he can help. He has a wealth of experience. He has got the respect."

Keegan feels that a role for Shearer would also help to attract new players to Tyneside, particularly as time is running out if there are to be any recruits before Thursday night's transfer deadline.

Newcastle have posed the question about trying to sign Jonathan Woodgate this week, although Tottenham have taken the lead in that race by agreeing a fee with Middlesbrough.

But Keegan, who also has a number of other transfer targets including Jermain Defoe and David Bentley, insists he will not be instructing chairman Chris Mort to rush out and panic buy.

"There's nothing new to report on the transfer front because we have not unveiled any signing," said Keegan, who has made a late attempt to hijack Tottenham's bid to sign Juventus midfielder Tiago, a player who also interests Middlesbrough.

"We are not looking at lots of people coming in. If we get anyone it will be from here in the domestic game and someone who knows the league, unless an absolutely massive opportunity drops on our doorstep from abroad."

Keegan, meanwhile, confirmed that Joey Barton will not play for Newcastle at Arsenal in the FA Cup today.

He had considered fielding the midfielder before rushing him back to the Sporting Chance clinic in Hampshire by the 7pm curfew, which is stipulated under the strict bail conditions after being charged with assault.

"I had the option to play him in this one game," said the Newcastle boss. "I don't think that is right on the other players or fair on Joey. When he comes back I would like it to be a home game when we control the environment around us a bit more. He understands that as well."