His new boss, Glenn Roeder, has been given the go ahead to sign players, but Shepherd insists he wants to see passion and commitment to the club. And according to one national newspaper, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Jermain Defoe are top of his wish-list.
Roeder: "We are not looking for fat-cat millionaires coming to St James' Park who will only waste the club's, and our supporters', money. I only want players who are not only hungry for success, but absolutely starving.
And I want players who will see a transfer to Newcastle as a move up and not a move down.
"I want players who have been in the Premiership who are so upset with their managers for not using them that they will come here with plenty to prove.
"Don't get me wrong, I love working with great players. But they have to be the right players for Newcastle and our supporters."