London  - Newcastle manager Alan Shearer has vowed to do everything he can to keep the club in the English Premier League.

The former England captain was confirmed as the club's new manager - until the end of the season - late on Wednesday and said he would be working night and day to help them avoid relegation.

"It's a club I love and I, just like many thousands of people, desperately don't want the club to go down and I will do everything I can to try to prevent that," Shearer said.

"It's a tough situation Newcastle are in and I feel deeply for this club. There is a nucleus (of players) here that can get this club out of trouble.

"They are very good players lacking confidence and it's up to me and the staff to get the best out of them."

Owner Mike Ashley turned to Shearer with eight games remaining to try to stave off relegation that would be financially disastrous for the north-east club.

Shearer, a hero in his playing days with Newcastle but who has no management experience, will stand in for Joe Kinnear, who is continuing to recover after heart surgery.

"I got a call over the weekend off Derek Llambias (the managing director) and Mike Ashley and I went round for a chat," Shearer said.

"They asked if I would take charge for the remaining eight games and I asked for a little time to think and spoke to a few people."

Newcastle's first game in charge is against Chelsea on Saturday. (dpa)