Former Newcastle United hero Alan Shearer has warned his old club they must be ready for a multitude of offers for their players this summer - but has told them to 'stand firm'.

Newcastle have endured a difficult season with inconsistency blighting their progress. Despite strong performances in the knockout competitions, they sit 12th in the Premier League table.

Should the Magpies fail to qualify for Europe again, they could see a number of their top stars looking for the exit door. There has already been a lot of speculation around key men in Eddie Howe's squad, and chief executive David Hopkinson admits they may have to sell a player in order to make any big signings of their own.

Shearer has watched on over the international break as the likes of Sandro Tonali, Lewis Hall and Anthony Gordon have been linked with moves away.

And while the speculation and gossip has amused him, he knows there's a serious side to it all - and that Newcastle must be on their guard, particularly after what happened last summer with...