Alan Shearer offers advice to new Newcastle number nine Papiss Demba Cisse

Alan Shearer has told Newcastle new boy Papiss Demba Cisse all he has to do to be worthy of the number nine shirt is score goals.

Shearer himself took on the mantle of the likes of Jackie Milburn and Malcolm Macdonald when he stepped into their shoes after making his £15million switch from Blackburn in 1996.

In a glittering decade, he contributed 206 goals to the Magpies' cause, and he has some simple advice for former Freiburg frontman Cisse as he prepares to take over the shirt left vacant by Andy Carroll and launch the latest phase of his career on Tyneside.

Shearer told the Times: "It's one of the most iconic shirts in football, certainly in this country, and I'm delighted somebody has come in and is going to wear it.

"I hope Cisse enjoys the experience as much as I did. It's a privilege and some great names have been there before.

"I can understand why it was kept empty when Andy left.

"There are expectations, but the biggest is a simple one - that you score goals. That's what comes with the shirt.

"I have heard people say that it can be a heavy shirt, but I think there's a responsibility.

"Newcastle is a big club with a terrific crowd and if you work hard, fans will take to you. The most important thing is that Cisse wants to wear it. That's encouraging."

PA