BBC Sport

SHEARER REJECTS ENGLAND TALK

Saturday, 26 January, 2002

Alan Shearer has ruled out a return to the international arena after opting to concentrate on club football in the wake of Euro 2000.

The in-form Newcastle striker has been tipped to win a call-up from England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson ahead of this summer's World Cup.

But speaking to BBC Radio Five Live Shearer said: "Nothing has changed. I gave my reasons two years ago and it was to allow me to prolong my club career.

"The media have brought it up because things have gone reasonably well for me this season and I think it's right to speak up" Alan Shearer

"The reason people are talking about the England thing is I'm not playing so many games now and my form is OK - that was one of the reasons I retired so I could play at this level.

"I haven't been approached by England, but I'm speaking out to stop it all.

"That's not me snubbing England or me being disrespectful it's just for the reasons I stated two years ago and those haven't changed."

Despite Shearer's repeated insistence that he has retired from the international game, Eriksson recently revealed he had not ruled the former England skipper out of his plans.

"There are many good strikers around, but I have never ruled Alan Shearer out," said the Swede.