Leaving his talking for the pitch

England captain Alan Shearer hits a volley during an international friendly match against Argentina at Wembley Stadium in London 23 February. The match ended in a 0-0 draw. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE)

In most countries a player who has scored 30 goals in 63 internationals might feel entitled to the unqualified goodwill of his compatriots, but England captain Alan Shearer is still treated with only grudging respect in some quarters.

However since his international retirement following Euro 2000, he has continued to find the back of the net for Newcastle United.

It is difficult to argue with Shearer's goal-scoring record at both club and international level and although he left the England set-up without a major title, he remains one of the most respected marksman in the game.

Many felt that Shearer had lost his edge and a yard of his pace after a serious ankle injury, but after the departure of Ruud Gullit as Newcastle coach and the subsequent arrival of former England boss, Bobby Robson, Shearer was transformed.

Robson gave Newcastle's most popular player some tactical advice about how to run onto the ball and not always have his back to goal where defenders could easily smother his threat.

Shearer suddenly discovered a new lease of life and midway through the season he was top of the English goal-scoring charts with 27 goals in all competitions.

Shines at Euro 96

Englands' striker Alan Shearer jubilates after scoring the first goal for his team during the Group A match against Scotland at the European Nations soccer championships 15 June 1996. England beat Scotland 2-0.

Shearer, the son of sheet-metal worker from Newcastle, began his playing career with Southampton before moving to Blackburn Rovers where he struck over 30 goals a season for three years running and helped the Lancashire club to their first League title (1995) in over 80 years.

After going nearly two years without a goal for England he rediscovered his form in Euro-96 where he finished as his country's top scorer with five goals as Terry Venables' side reached the final four.

That summer he returned to his roots when he transferred to Newcastle for a then world record of 15 million pounds (24 million dollars).

A serious ankle injury threatened to cut short his career but he put himself through a rigorous recovery programme with typical determination before returning to action and forcing his way back into the England side.

The strengths of his game lie in his physical power, his aggression, an excellent right foot, good aerial ability and a centre-forward's most valuable gift: Being in the right place at the right time.

English forward Alan Shearer (R) and Colombian defender Everth Palacios duel in the air, 26 June at the Felix Bollaert stadium in Lens, northern France, during their 1998 Soccer World Cup group G first round match. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO GERRY PENNY

England had a disappointing Euro 2000 campaign where they failed to make it to the quarter-finals, but Shearer did give himself and his country some unbridled joy when he headed the winner against arch rivals Germany (1-0).

Keeping to his promise before the tournament, Shearer announced his international retirement following Euro 2000 but he is still a star player at Newcastle and in 2002 helped the club to the second group phase of the Champions League for the first time.