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Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy is thought to be a Newcastle target

Former Wales striker Iwan Roberts says Alan Shearer was wrong to warn Newcastle United that it would be a mistake to re-sign Craig Bellamy.

Wales and Liverpool striker Bellamy has been linked with a move back to St James' Park despite leaving the Magpies two years ago after a turbulent time.

"It's a bit of a shock that he (Shearer) has come out in the papers and hammered Craig," Roberts said.

"When Craig was in the Newcastle side they were a much, much better team."

Roberts played with Bellamy, 27, both at club level with Norwich City and with the Welsh national side.

He recognises Bellamy's fiery temperament, which led to bust-ups with then Newcastle boss Graeme Souness, coach Terry McDermott and also an alleged criticism of Newcastle and England legend Shearer.

"They (Shearer and Bellamy) have had their differences in the past, incidents have happened," Roberts told BBC Sport Wales.

"Obviously Shearer still feels very bitter about that, but it's not like him to criticise somebody in public.

"It is a hammering to come out with a statement like that, that he had to go out and get drunk when he heard Newcastle could be coming back in for Craig."

New Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce is still seeking to strengthen his squad and is not scared of taking on players who have had disciplinary problems at other clubs.

The former Bolton boss paid £5.8m for Joey Barton last week despite a list of misdemeanours at Manchester City.

Bellamy has his own list of troubles, the latest an alleged fracas with Liverpool team-mate John Arne Riise in February at a training camp.

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