Blackburn fans understand why I moved - Shearer

JUST six weeks after becoming the world's most expensive footballer, Newcastle United's Alan Shearer comes face to face with his former Blackburn Rovers teammates at St James' Park tomorrow.

The 26-year-old striker signed for his hometown club Newcastle in a GBP15 million deal at the end of July and has since been appointed England captain by new national coach Glenn Hoddle.

And the Gosforth-born Shearer faces another emotional occasion on Tyneside tomorrow when Newcastle play host to Blackburn - the club with whom he won the Premiership in 1994-95.

Shearer said: 'I can't pretend it's just another game for me because it's not; it's going to be very special.

'We came through a lot together at Blackburn and I can honestly say that if it had been any other club but Newcastle United I would probably have stayed.

'Everyone in football knew I always wanted to play for Newcastle and my dream has come true.' Shearer, who signed a five-year contract worth around GBP30,000 a week, was given a rough ride by Sunderland supporters during the Tyne-Wear derby at Roker Park last week, when Newcastle won 2-1. But he said he was not expecting similar treatment from the Blackburn fans who travel to the North East for tomorrow's Premiership battle.

'I will be very surprised if they are hostile towards me because I feel they understand why I had to go,' added Shearer.