Loyalty is not Toon’s best policy, says Big Al

ALAN Shearer believes Rafa Benitez ‘cannot’ show loyalty to the Newcastle United squad promoted to the Premier League as the Spaniard sets about his summer transfer window plans.

United secured promotion on Monday night with a 4-1 thumping of Preston and kept the title race alive with a 2-0 win over Cardiff City on Friday night.

Shearer was in charge the last time Newcastle were relegated to the Championship in the 2008-09 season and was set to stay on as manager – but talks between him and Ashley broke down.

Chris Hughton took over and guided Newcastle back to the Premier League, winning the Championship with 102 points.

Most of the players who formed that title-winning side stayed on and made up United’s returning Premier League squad but Shearer believes Rafa Benitez cannot show too much loyalty to his side.

The striking legend said: said: “I think they need to invest in most positions.

“The manager will know it, the fans will it.

“It is nice to be loyal to the players who took you back up to the Premier League but you cannot be.

“You need to improve by buying new players in that will improve the squad and I am sure the manager knows in what positions he needed.”

Asked whether Benitez will stay at St James’ Park next season, the club’s all-time record goalscorer called on Ashley to back Benitez after the Spaniard guided United back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Shearer (below) added: “A lot depends on what the owner will give the manager to spend. There are rumours over whether Rafa will be staying or going and it is hugely important Newcastle keep hold of Benitez.

“They have hell of a manager, experienced, I just hope he gets the backing he deserves and then he can take the club forward.

“I don’t see any issue in aiming for a mid-table finish.”