Speed 35, left Newcastle last summer to head to Bolton and has impressed many with his assured displays but Shearer says that his old pal should still be strutting his stuff on Tyneside.
"He's a great professional and he's still a great player. Just ask Sam what he thinks of Gary. He thinks he's got a real gem. He should really still be running out in a black-and-white shirt. He never failed to give us 100% and he was a great servant to this football club." the ex-England international said
It was to prove to be an unhappy return to St James Park for the Welshman as Bolton where defeated by two goals to one, ending a previously unbleamished record stretching back to December.