SEND FOR SHEARER

Legend gets call up to deliver battle cry

GARETH SOUTHGATE has turned to legendary striker Alan Shearer to inspire England’s final push towards World Cup qualification tonight.

Manager Southgate is set to unleash an attacking quartet of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Alex oxlade-Chamberlain as he looks for the win over Slovenia that will book a place at Russia 2018.

And the 47- year- old has enlisted the help of his old international team-mate Shearer, who scored 30 times in 63 games for his country.

The former Newcastle forward met the squad on Tuesday and Kane, who captains England tonight, said: ‘He came in and spoke to the lads. It was great to hear from him. The lads were attached to him telling the

stories about England and his career, what he’d come through, the ups and downs. ‘It was great to have an England legend come in with his experience.’ Tottenham striker Kane, who revealed he could be open to a move abroad in the future, will be hoping to add to his 10-goal haul for England when he leads the attack against Slovenia. Attention will also be on Raheem Sterling, who returns to the starting XI in the No 10 role, replacing the suspended Dele Alli. Southgate said: ‘Sterling can excite, he can beat people. His goalscoring record is improving, which is important, and he works hard for the team, chasing back and tackling. He’s not just a winger. The opportunities to improve are always there.’ England’s manager confirmed he had spoken to Alli after his one-game ban for a middle-finger gesture in the win over Slovakia, saying: ‘He recognises his responsibilities. He won’t do it again, that’s for sure.’