Butt praises Shearer's influence

Butt (left) believes former team-mate Shearer has had an immediate impact

Newcastle United midfielder Nicky Butt hailed the impact temporary boss Alan Shearer has made on the squad since arriving at St James' Park a week ago.

Shearer is the 10th boss Butt has played for since he signed for the club in July 2004 and can already sense a difference during Shearer's reign.

"He's brought a spring in the step in and around the club everyone's buzzing," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"He's told us in no uncertain terms what we have to do."

Meanwhile Saturday's trip to Stoke City is a vitally important fixture for Newcastle, with the Magpies currently three points adrift of safety in the relegation zone.

Stoke were one of the clubs tipped for the drop prior to the start of the season, while a then Keegan-led Newcastle were never expected to be in this position.

And Butt admitted most of the focus on the struggling teams has rested on them due to the club's stature.

"It's pressure on the media side of it because they keep pointing the finger at Newcastle all the time and letting the other clubs get on with it," he added.

"That's what it's all about being at a big club, that's why we're here, we expect the good coverage when it's good, but we've got to take the bad things too."

Newcastle United are currently 18th in the Premier League, while Stoke are 13th, six points clear of the Magpies.