Sir Bobby Robson backs Alan Shearer for Newcastle job, but Shearer doesn't know what is going on at the club

Alan Shearer and Newcastle's defence have one thing in common: Neither know what's going on.

Toon legend Shearer still hopes to be appointed manager of the club, and after Saturday's 6-1 humiliation by Leyton Orient in a friendly the decision cannot come soon enough for the club's fans.

The Magpies have been drifting ever since Shearer's temporary spell in charge ended with relegation to the Championship in May.

Shearer is desperate to take the reins full-time and he is the fans' choice, but a long-term appointment is unlikely until owner Mike Ashley completes his intended £100million sale of the club. "I know as much as you," said Shearer last night, ahead of a charity match for mentor Sir Bobby Robson.

"I would dearly love it to be sorted out one way or the other then the club can move forward. I am the same as everyone else, I am in limbo. I don't know what is going on.

"Everyone is telling me there are people in to buy the club. If that is the case, then great."

And Shearer insists that he remains fully committed to the club. He added: "I want it sorted out as quickly as everyone else does.

"I'm a fan like everyone else and I don't like to see the situation the club is in."

But Leyton Orient midfielder Jason Demetriou has urged the St James' Park men to show more heart after they folded at Brisbane Road on Saturday.

He said: "That result was just unbelievable. Newcastle had millions of pounds worth of players out there, but we went out and gave as good as we got and came away with a great win."

Caretaker-manager Chris Hughton last night issued a public apology for the team's abject display at Orient.

Hughton admitted: "We can only apologise to the fans who have backed us tremendously during pre-season."

Shearer was given a rapturous reception at St James' Park for an exhibition match between an England XI, consisting largely of members of Robson's 1990 World Cup squad, and German veterans.

Former Toon and England boss Sir Bobby said: "I believe we need a strong manager for the next five years. I'm thrilled that Alan was in the England Legends team. I tried to sign him for Barcelona but he came back home to Newcastle instead and thankfully I was able to be his manager later on. He was a model professional, a great captain and centre-forward. Next I expect him to be a great manager, and I hope it is at our club, Newcastle United."

England were fa-mously beaten on penalties by West Germany in the semi-finals at Italia 90 and yesterday stars from that team Paul Gascoigne, Peter Shilton, Peter Beardsley, John Barnes and David Platt were taking part. The match was to raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. England won 3-2 in front of a crowd of 33,000.

Robson is battling cancer for a fifth time, and Shearer said: "He means a lot, not only to me but to this region and world football."