Newcastle legend Alan Shearer 'devastated' for injured Rob Elliot

Rob Elliot has been ruled out for the rest of the season

Match of the Day pundit and Newcastle legend Shearer has described Republic of Ireland stopper Elliot as the club's 'best player by a mile' this season and said football can be 'cruel' at times.

Elliot flew back to the north-east on Wednesday morning bracing himself for a definite verdict on his knee injury after the 28-year-old was carried from the field on a stretcher after twisting his knee as he attempted to make a save just 14 minutes into the Republic of Ireland's 2-2 friendly draw with Slovakia.

Shearer tweeted: "Devastating news for @the_dilsh Football is cruel at times.

"Newcastle's best player this season by a mile. Wishing you a speedy recovery."

Manager Martin O'Neill later revealed the early indications were he had suffered "serious" ligament damage and he is expected to be missing for up to six months, with his hopes of appearing at Euro 2016 over.