SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON confirmed last night that Alan Shearer was on the verge of a sensational England comeback before the striker decided not to end his international retirement.

Eriksson admitted Shearer would have forced his way into the England reckoning had the striker made himself available for their crucial Euro 2004 qualifiers.

The paucity of in-form English strikers - Alan Smith is banned for the game in Liechtenstein on March 29, and Michael Owen and Emile Heskey have failed to impress in recent outings - would have landed 32-year-old Shearer a call-up.

But England coach Eriksson was left to look ahead to a future minus Shearer last night after the Newcastle United forward revealed he would not perform an international U-turn.

Eriksson said: "With the way Alan Shearer plays his football, he could maybe have been in the squad.

"But I can't pick a player who doesn't want to play, and the first thing you need to hear is a player saying he wants to play.

"Congratulations to Shearer for what he's done and what he's doing.

"But it's the future now, with Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006. It can't be Shearer."

Shearer - England's most prolific goalscorer since the retirement of Gary Lineker in 1992 - quit international football almost three years ago, shortly before Eriksson replaced Kevin Keegan.

He has resisted countless efforts to persuade him to change his mind, but Eriksson - who names his squad for the games against Liechtenstein and Turkey this Sunday - claimed yesterday that he had not spoken to the striker.

He said: "I was surprised when I heard about Shearer, but I found out later that nothing would be happening.

"I saw his game in Milan last Tuesday but I haven't talked to anyone about Shearer.

"The situation is the same as when I came to this country. I accept it and the story's finished.

"Maybe the reason he's playing well is because he can take days off." Eriksson's comments about Shearer came as the England coach mounted a vigorous defence of his reign and insisted again that he had never had talks with Manchester United about succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson.

A fortnight ago, Ferguson claimed the Swede had "shaken hands" on a deal that would see him take charge at Old Trafford, only for the Scot to sign a contract extension.

Ferguson's comments caused acute embarrassment and forced United chief executive Peter Kenyon to say: "We didn't offer Sven-Goran Eriksson the job."

Eriksson said last night: "I've not been talking to or negotiating with any clubs. You can ask my agent. And if Athol Still, my agent, had talks with United, he never talked to me about it.

"If I say something, I have to stand up to it. So how many times shall I say 'No'?"

Eriksson revealed Ferguson telephoned him on the day the story broke to discuss the matter.

"The last time I spoke to Alex Ferguson was after what came up in the papers. He phoned me up," the England coach added.

"It was an OK conversation, a good conversation. But it's not fair to ask what we talked about."

Eriksson maintained his position would not be affected by criticism and struck a positive note by promising England would qualify for Euro 2004.

England face an uphill task to finish top of their qualification group, ahead of Turkey, after October's 2-2 home draw Macedonia.

But Eriksson said: "If you draw with Macedonia and then lose to Australia, I don't expect to be told I'm beautiful and perfect.

"But we will qualify for Euro 2004, and I hope automatically. The draw against Macedonia was worse than Australia because you should win against them, so now we must take points in another game.

"I accept every criticism but I promise you I don't normally read the critics. I always want people to think better of me. But I don't really care what they say.

"All that matters is your results as a football manager. I know what trophies I've won and when I've won them. It's 17 or 18 trophies.

"Let's hope it will take more than two years before we're booed again.

"This is the biggest job I've ever had and football in this country is absolutely fantastic.

"I've never thought I should leave. Who knows? I will stay here as long as I'm allowed to."

Eriksson indicated that Everton striker Wayne Rooney, who won his first cap against Australia, would keep his place in the squad for the qualifiers.

He added: "It's a pity for me that Rooney plays very little, but every time he comes on he makes headlines. I'd like to see him play more, but his manager is doing very well not letting him play. He's only 17, so maybe that's good."