Alan Shearer has told Newcastle United he would leave the club unless he is assured of a regular place in the team next season.

“If the manager said I wasn’t going to be a regular I’d have to consider things,” said the Newcastle captain.

“I don’t want my last season to be an anticlimax. I want to play as much football as I can in my last season.”

“Everyone knows my love for Newcastle and the only time I’d consider leaving would be if the manager told me before the season that I wasn’t going to be a regular,” added the 33-year-old striker.

Speculation about Shearer’s position at the club has intensified since Newcastle were linked with both Patrick Kluivert and James Beattie.