Captain Alan Shearer declared his confidence and self-belief to be sky-high ahead of tonight's encounter with Romania after rediscovering his goal touch for England against Germany.

And the centre-forward insisted that his belief in the national team's ability to win the tournament was now stronger than ever.

While the depressing scenes of violence which have followed England's participation in the tournament now threaten their continued involvement, Shearer reflected upon the determined display which had put the players within a point of reaching the quarter-finals.

And his rallying-call ahead of the crunch game was played out to a familiar tune - that even the long-awaited victory against the Germans was merely a stepping-stone and that ''the hard work starts now''.

If criticism is water off a duck's back to the England captain, then the flow of it has turned into something of a steady stream over recent weeks and months. His first goal in eight internationals with that 52nd-minute header against Germany certainly gave him a measure of satisfaction, although the result pleased him even more.

''Every dog has his day and I've had mine. But it's very early on in the tournament and there's still work to do,'' insisted Shearer, who has no plans to reconsider his decision to retire from international football after the tournament.

''Goals make players confident and I'm fortunate that I have belief in my own ability. As long as the people around me also have belief in me then that's all that's important.

''The goal is right up there for me as there was immense pressure on me to deliver the goods but more importantly to lead England to a victory. That's what this game is all about winning.

''I have got a feeling about this tournament. I feel we can win it and that hasn't changed. It didn't change after we lost to Portugal and obviously it has been strengthened now.''

Shearer's Newcastle manager Bobby Robson, the former England coach, insisted: ''Alan is still at the top of his game, as he showed against Germany.

''He holds the ball up better than anyone else and, when he gets a chance, there is no-one you would rather have in that position. He is absolutely lethal.''

Robson, who confirmed Shearer's decision to quit international football was because of his desire to bow out at the top and to spend more time with his family rather than due to any outside criticism, admitted: ''Kevin Keegan will miss him when he has gone.''

Shearer nevertheless appreciates David Beckham's crossing ability may hold the key to England's chances as he has directly created six of the team's last eight goals including his own strike against Germany.

''David put the ball on a plate for me really. If we get set-pieces in that sort of position then we know we're going to be a threat because of his delivery,'' said the Newcastle centre-forward.

Shearer also knows, however, that England will need to show the same spirit, as well as better passing and movement, against Romania as they did against Germany if they are to secure the point which they need back in Charleroi.

''I thought the goalkeeper and the back-four were magnificent against Germany. When we needed them, they stood firm,'' he said.

''We had a point to prove. It wasn't about pretty play, it was about grinding out a result and that's what we did. We knew that if we went into the lead, we were determined to hang on to it. We stood firm.''

He added: ''You know the England side and you know Kevin Keegan. We won't go out looking for a point against Romania, we'll try to win the game.

"If we can do that, then great. If we can't, then hopefully we'll get a draw and that will see us through to the next round. That was our aim before the tournament started.''

l Michael Owen has insisted he will be able to handle the pressure and the spotlight if he takes over the mantle of England number one striker when Alan Shearer retires from international football after Euro 2000.

Owen said: ''People say the scrutiny will be on me when Alan Shearer goes but, if that is the case, then I've got 20-odd caps and feel experienced enough to be able to deal with that. I've played in World Cup and now European Championship finals and I am prepared.

"I am not going to be running scared of it. I want people to say 'he should be the first striker on the teamsheet'.''