The V-Bomber's season has been badly hit by injuries but he looks set to play a part in the match at Spurs this weekend.

Shearer admits the forward's future at St James's Park had looked pretty bleak but now there may be some hope for at least another year at Newcastle.

The Newcastle boss told the Northern Echo: "I asked Mark do you want to help play a part in us trying to stay up? and the answer was most definitely a 'yes'. I think it would have been a complete waste to just let him lie on the treatment table looking forward to going back to the beaches in Australia.

"That's what his plans were this summer.

"He was injured and not in good condition and probably on his way to Australia because talks hadn't happened between himself and the club."

Shearer wants Viduka to help keep the Magpies in the Premier League this season. As for next year? No promises but certainly some encouragement.

When asked about the possibility of offering Viduka another year at the club, Shearer said: "That's something we'd have to look at come the end of the season.

"I've said to Mark 'look, we want you fit for the remaining games, then we'll see what happens after that'.