Interesting story on TOTT:

Alan Shearer called it "a day" after the European Championships two years ago, and said he would never play for England again. He has said nothing to change that, but Sven Eriksson could offer him a "wild card" to the 2002 World Cup.

Eriksson's coach said on SKY Sports that the England management team have run the rule over Alan Shearer and if the situation was right they would not hesitate in going knocking on his door.

"Alan is playing exceptionally well, as we saw against Chelsea yesterday. Chelsea have a very good defensive record but Alan played very well and caused them problems throughout. He is a very good player."

Chris Kamara: "Would you consider him for the World Cup? Would you ask him to change his mind about retirement?"

The reply: "If he was the man for the job we would do that. We have talked about it, and the World Cup is some time away, but why not? He is a class player playing at the top of his game."

Considering even some Toon fans reckon he's a shagged out donkey, that is praise indeed from SGE. Personally, I hope it doesn't happen because I want to see him doing the biz for the Toon for as long as possible, and actually I have doubts he could do it now at the highest international level. However, if I was SGE faced with having to rely on Emily Heskey, Andrew Cole, Sheri Teddingham, Rab Howler, or god forbid it, the Munchkin to partner YMO, then I'd definitely be on the phone to Englands real No.1!

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2001

Answers

A prancing pony among donkeys!

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2001

Too true Clarky. Charity begins at home, and home has to be SJP.

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2001

This report is a load of rubbish - the "quotes" are totally inaccurate. I actually recorded Sky this morning and watched it when I got back from the weekly battle at Tesco (Carl Cort not sighted btw). The report above didn't match what I remembered about it but I still had the tape and can give you a verbatim account of what was said.

************** CK = Chris Kamara, TG = Tord Grip

CK: Would you consider knocking on his door and saying "I know you've retired but your country needs you"?

TG: Well yes, that's right. He hasn't played for a year - perhaps he's ..... [CK he's rested], he's rested (laughs). Oh I don't know, I don't know what his opinion is to get into the England team. I have no idea about that but he plays well at the moment anyway.

*******************

That reads a bit differently to the "original" above doesn't it?!!!

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2001

Mmmhh - journalistic license?

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2001

Hmm,do Eng-er-land really need a penalty taker?

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2001

We have been known to go out of competitions after ties that went to penalties, so we could do worse.

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2001

Well, SK, I think you'll find Shearer has scored in open play more recently than your own England hopeful. Actually, since SGE obviously sees Owen as our main goal threat and picks Heskey simply as the holding man, I can see why he would look at Shearer as he is better all round than Heskey and may actually present the odd scoring threat.

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2001

..... just imagine the mackem embarrassment superkev if AS was asked to come out of self-declared international retirement and selected for the WC ahead of your namesake. Ouch!!

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2001

I don't think he'll change his mind, at least I hope not.

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2001

I'm not sure: I'd imagine that Shearer would be being used a bit more judiciously by Newcastle next season. I mean however well he plays, we do need to see Carl Cort, Shola and Chopra at some point.

-- Anonymous, January 01, 2002

Don't think he's likely to get asked, but I'd be very surprised if he said no if he was. Maybe if there are a few injuries there's an outside chance, but I find it hard to believe he'd turn down one last chance at a World Cup.

-- Anonymous, January 01, 2002

"Hmm,do Eng-er-land really need a penalty taker? "

Isn't it amazing how often a throwaway remark like that will come back to bite you on the arse (he asks as munchkin misses his second pen in a fortnight)? :-)

-- Anonymous, January 01, 2002

I hope Shearer doesn't go to play for England - if we don't win the cup (as we obviously won't win it) he is someone who is there to blame by the media and the southern half of the country.

-- Anonymous, January 01, 2002

Shearer will not play for England again. Nor would I want him to.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2002