Shearer was set to play three more games for the Magpies before retiring at the end of this season. But he was forced to limp off in the 71st minute of Monday's 4-1 derby win over Sunderland.

"It doesn't look good. They think there might be a tear in the medial ligament, and if that is the case then that'll be it for me I'm afraid."

Shearer scored his 206th goal for Newcastle before the injury, He will have a scan on Thursday. The results will probably determine whether he can be involved in any of the three remaining matches.

Shearer's final game was set up to be the home match against Chelsea on Sunday 7 May, and he said he did not want to finish his career early.

"I wanted to go the full distance, yes, but if I have to finish, then it's not a bad way to finish, coming to your local enemies and scoring a goal that's helped us get a 4-1 win," he said.

Shearer's career statistics

Shearer's 206 Newcastle goals have been scored in 404 appearances since he joined his hometown club from Blackburn in summer 1996.

He netted a total of 379 goals in 733 appearances in a career that took in Southampton, Blackburn and Newcastle.

He also scored 30 goals in 63 appearances for England.

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