ALAN SHEARER has made the right decision in declining the opportunity to ride to Sven-Goran Eriksson's rescue.

Eriksson is renowned for being a lucky manager - and what could be more fortunate than having Shearer return to the fold in his hour of international need?

Since the World Cup, the studious Swede has presided over an alarming slump in his adopted country's fortunes.

A draw with Macedonia and defeat to Australia has cranked up the pressure on Eriksson, and the availability of Shearer would have been manna for him.

If Shearer were a success, the England coach would again be feted as a hero; were he to fail, Eriksson would not be held culpable for recalling the Newcastle United talisman.

But Eriksson must now plan for the make-or-break Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey with the same players that failed abysmally in the last two games.

In extending his England exile, Shearer has listened to his head - not to mention his aching body - rather than his heart.

He has repeatedly put his renaissance as a top-class Premiership striker in the last 18 months down to his international retirement.

So, what could be more nonsensical than pulling on the three lions again?

England's loss has been Newcastle's gain. Free of the physical battering that he took for his country, Shearer has been magnificent for his club.

Would he have enjoyed such a glorious night at the San Siro last Tuesday if he were still playing for his country? Probably not.

Of course, one can forgive Shearer for being nostalgic and hankering after a return of his international heyday.

But let's be frank here. Shearer the England player was on the wane from the day they were knocked out of Euro 96.

Over two-and-a-half years, he failed to develop a coherent partnership with Michael Owen - so why would they suddenly do well together now?

And at the age of 32, the selection of Shearer would scarcely be a positive move from Eriksson - even though no one has replaced him as England's premier No 9.

Certainly, Newcastle fans would sooner see their most important player with his feet up in a fortnight rather than involved in an international double-header.

And while Arsenal and Manchester United's strikers put themselves through a gruelling schedule for their countries, Shearer will be resting.

It's understandable that he wishes he could play for England again. But last night's U-turn might prove to be as shrewd as his original decision to quit.

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