In 1992–93, Newell was Blackburn's second highest goalscorer with 13 league goals as they finished fourth in the Premier League. They had looked like championship contenders for much of the season, but Newell lacked the much-needed support up front after late December when strike partner Alan Shearer suffered a serious knee injury and missed the rest of the season. However, he managed 6 goals in 28 games in 1993–94, battling it out with Kevin Gallacher for the role of Shearer's strike partner as Blackburn finished second. But the arrival of Chris Sutton for the 1994–95 saw Newell fall behind in the pecking order at Ewood Park. Blackburn finished the season as league champions for the first time in 81 years. However, he did meet the requirement of 10 league appearances for a title medal, starting two league games and appearing a further 10 times as a substitute, although he failed to score a goal that season.