FORMER England skipper Alan Shearer last night admitted that he would still love to play on the international stage.

But the 32-year-old striker, who hung up his England boots after Euro 2000, indicated he was not about to come out of retirement to help the national team's cause.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's men were held to a surprise 2-2 draw with Macedonia on Wednesday night and Shearer revealed he would have loved to have been entering the St Mary's stadium pitch along with David Beckham and Co.

"I do miss internationals, I really do," said the Newcastle United front-man. "The time I miss them is when the players are running out of the tunnel and the anthems are playing. There is a side of me that wishes I was there still.

"But I don't miss the build up to them and being away for long spells. That's one of the things I don't miss."

The point made against the Macedonians has led to critics suggesting qualification for Euro 2004 is in considerable doubt.

But Shearer insists England can still hit top spot in the Group, despite the shock result in front of their own patriotic crowd.

"England can still qualify. They don't become a bad team overnight," said Shearer. "Sometimes they don't play well and I think the opposition deserve a mention because they defended as if there lives depended on it.

"People in this country think when you win a game you are going to win the World Cup, but when you lose a game you are the worst team in the world.

"The worst for that is Tommy Craig here at Newcastle. He thinks Scotland are going to win the European Championship now they have won two games, now that's what I call funny!"

Keeper David Seaman has been urged to end his playing days in some quarters after he was blamed for another goal.

Macedonia's opener in midweek - which flew straight in from a corner - follows blunders from the 39-year-old against Brazil in the World Cup and a couple of mistakes at club level for Arsenal this season.

But Newcastle chief Sir Bobby Robson, himself a former England boss, said: "I think he's been quite hard done by to be honest.

"It was a freak goal. I've spoken to one or two people and Scholesy at the back post has not headed it out when he possibly could have done.

"It literally takes two seconds to get from the corner flag to the goal and that's quick. It was a swirling ball and it's gone over everyone's head.

"I think it's a hard criticism for the player, who has been and still is a wonderful goalkeeper.

"England should still have won 4-2. A draw is not a total disaster. Qualification is a scramble for points and they have got one, now they need a few more."

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