JOE Kinnear was only half joking when he said: "As soon as I found out Alan Shearer (pictured) was having the operation today, I tried to get the fixture changed!"

The Wimbledon boss is as big an admirer of the Rovers striker as anyone and he pointed out: "I can't believe he was injured.

"If I find out he's playing next week, there will be hell to pay," he laughed.

"Shearer has been the difference between the two teams but how often have people said that about him.

"He's got quick control and vision and he can turn both ways. When he has completed the turn he has that pace to get away from people.

"His distribution is just as good as the rest of his game. He's a nightmare for defenders.

"I thought it was a terrific game, great entertainment and I was pleased there were no bad fouls. It refereed itself and the two first half strikes were terrific.

"We should have got something from the game but we contributed to the last goal.

"The keeper was disappointed he didn't hold it. He said he should have done better."

Kinnear expressed some surprise that Rovers had not waited until the end of the season for Shearer to have his operation.

He said: "It could affect them getting into Europe. They will have a struggle to replace him."

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