Lineker to make shock England return

Eurosport - Wed, 01 Apr 07:34:00 2009

Gary Lineker will make a sensational return to international football to help ease England's striker shortage for the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley.

Gary Lineker, England legend - 0

The 49-year-old England legend, who scored 48 goals in 80 appearances for his country and was top scorer at the 1986 World Cup finals in Mexico, announced his decision to stunned media.

"I've thought long and hard about this, and I really think I have something to offer to Fabio Capello and England," Lineker said.

"I've been keeping myself fit by running on the world's best beaches and playing football in the garden with my kids, and there comes a time when talking about football just isn't enough anymore. If David Beckham can still do it, so can I."

With Emile Heskey, Carlton Cole and Darren Bent all ruled out for Wednesday's crucial qualifier, TV pundit Lineker is expected to slide straight into England's starting line-up alongside 23-year-old Wayne Rooney - who was understandably thrilled at news of his return.

"Gary is an England legend and it really doesn't matter that he's old enough to be my dad," Rooney said.

"The gaffer (Fabio Capello) got us together yesterday and he really thinks this could be the strike partnership we've been looking for. Gary is a natural goalscorer and I think we'll work well together."

Lineker is second behind Bobby Charlton on the list of all-time England goalscorers and could overtake the 1966 World Cup winner with a brace against Ukraine.

Eurosport

Comment 35 - 54 of 54

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  1. APRIL'S FOOL.

    From chetan, on Thu 2 Apr 7:35AM

  2. Sad. It speaks volumes of the current strikers.
    If­ there were enough quality strikers, this joke­ wouldn't even come up.

    You don't see Spain­ jokes about Butragueno making a return.

    From Silver N, on Thu 2 Apr 1:32AM

  3. The sad thing is England could probably do with him!

    From jvrad71, on Wed 1 Apr 9:40PM

  4. Would prefer Beardsley up front with him tonight and­ lets taxi Terry Butch back down south ideally with his­ red head bandage on!

    From stuartplant2003, on Wed 1 Apr 6:38PM

  5. April Fool............

    From komsky, on Wed 1 Apr 6:14PM

  6. Were the first comments still asleep..........#5 just­ did NOT get it !!
    Very amuzing

    From GSter, on Wed 1 Apr 5:00PM

  7. I reckon Big Al would probably do as well as what we­ have right now

    From peter.kingfisher, on Wed 1 Apr 4:52PM

  8. If England need another striker , they may as well­ bring Gazza in to partner Gary... ah ...ah ..ah

    From GUY N, on Wed 1 Apr 4:38PM

  9. The Shearer story has out done you, once again proving­ that truth is stranger than fiction.

    From ian.2.hughes, on Wed 1 Apr 4:35PM

  10. I think sheringham would have been alot more­ believable!!!

    From ross, on Wed 1 Apr 4:34PM

  11. Poor effort for an April Fools - Come on Eurosport, you­ can do better!

    From Rob, on Wed 1 Apr 4:32PM

  12. So imaginative and funny I nearly wet myself laughing.­ Whatever next from Eurosport arf arf.

    From Get rid of the Lords, on Wed 1 Apr 4:28PM

  13. I understand that Jimmy Greaves is up for a game! Dave­ D

    From Dave, on Wed 1 Apr 4:26PM

  14. If England needed a good goalie...Gorden banks would be­ the one eyed get.

    From Gerry, on Wed 1 Apr 4:25PM

  15. hIS STRIKE PARTNER IS BOBBY CHARLTON

    From alec3720, on Wed 1 Apr 4:24PM

  16. cant be any worse than the @#$% we have now ?????????

    From cap6662, on Wed 1 Apr 4:19PM

  17. You know this is an April Fool's gag, as there are­ way too many big words in Rooney's comments !!!­ HAHA Nice Try Though.

    From sam g, on Wed 1 Apr 4:17PM

  18. apparently shearer has returned to newcastle as­ well!!!!

    From Clive C, on Wed 1 Apr 4:14PM

  19. April fool surely!!!

    From xiao_jun1015, on Wed 1 Apr 4:11PM

  20. Yes Right Ant and Dec on the bench.

    From scanlan872, on Wed 1 Apr 4:08PM
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