Injury forces Shearer retirement http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/4929358.stm Newcastle captain Alan Shearer has confirmed he has had to retire earlier than planned because of a knee injury. The 35-year-old tore knee ligaments at Sunderland on Monday and has been ruled out for the rest of the season, ending his Magpies career prematurely. "I'm finished now," Shearer told The Sun. "I won't be able to play the last three games and that is disappointing. "But I'm not complaining, how could I? I have great memories. I've got no regrets, it's been a great career." Shearer picked up the injury at the home of Newcastle's arch-rivals, Sunderland's Stadium of Light, 10 minutes after scoring a penalty. The former England captain remained optimistic he would be able to kick a ball before the end of the season but a scan on Friday confirmed the worst. Shearer added: "There's a tear in the medial ligament which, although it does not require an operation, means I will be in a knee brace for a few weeks. "Deep down I knew when I limped out at the Stadium of Light that it was probably the end and I think the fans knew it as well. "Some people think it was a fantastic way to go out anyway by scoring in our 4-1 win at Sunderland. I think they might be right." Shearer is still hopeful that he will be able to play some part in his testimonial game against Celtic at St James' Park on 11 May. After starting his career with Southampton, Shearer left Blackburn to join his hometown club Newcastle in the summer of 1996 for a then world-record fee of ￡15m. He went on to score 206 goals in 404 appearances for Newcastle, eclipsing Jackie Milburn's record and becoming the club's top goalscorer in the process. He is also the Premiership's leading goalscorer of all time with 260 goals in 441 games. After an 18-year career, Shearer's only major trophy is the Premiership title he won with Blackburn in the 1994/95 season. The striker turned down a move to Manchester United to join Newcastle and despite winning no silverware with the Magpies, he insists he has no regrets. "It doesn't matter that I didn't win a trophy because I did it my way and I lived the dream," Shearer said. "My dream as a kid was to play for Newcastle United and to score goals at St James' Park. "Playing for the club is everything and no-one can take that away from me." Shearer had planned to retire at the end of last season but was persuaded to stay on by then manager Graeme Souness for one more year. But he was never tempted out of international retirement despite repeated calls to reverse the decision he made after Euro 2000. After making his England debut against France in 1992, Shearer went on to score 30 goals in 63 appearances. In domestic competitions, he netted a total of 379 goals in 733 appearances in a magnificent career. -- Soulmates never die --

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