ALAN Shearer (pictured) jets off to the sunshine leaving behind a storm still being brewed in the national tabloids.

Speculation over the Blackburn Rovers and England striker's future has reached hysterical levels in recent weeks, leaving Ewood officials to wonder if someone in particular is behind it all.

And, while they have consistently declared - and will continue to do so - that Shearer, still under contract for three years, is not for sale at any price it doesn't stop the rumour mongers.

No matter how ridiculous some of the "stories" appear to be.

Many Rovers fans were also left still wondering about the fate of their favourite star following his own comments in his personal News of the World column yesterday.

But I don't believe that Rovers officials read the same ambiguity into Shearer's remarks as others seem to have done.

It could, hopefully, be significant that Shearer's main comment saying: "The only certainty is that I'm under contract to Blackburn until I hear otherwise, and I still consider myself a Rovers player" was in bold type.

Doubts among fans, however, seem to have come from the following sentence in which he says: "Any discussions about my personal future can wait till I come home."

But, really, the comments follow the neutral pattern that the striker has adopted - some might say had to adopt - since becoming British football's most expensive player.

In an age when words are too easily and too often taken out of context, he has wisely learned the art of "Safespeak".

I still believe Shearer will be kicking off next season in a Rovers shirt and, if you analyse some of the speculation, it is clear that so much of it is just that.

First of all Andy Cole is coming to Ewood as a £7 million makeweight in a £19 million transfer. Cole for Ewood? Sure.

Then, yesterday, Rovers were reported to have stunned Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson by telling him they wanted Paul Scholes in part-exchange.

So they would have us believe that, while considering legal action against one publication for its report about an alleged deal, Rovers are supposedly still conducting negotiations!

United chairman Martin Edwards has said his club contacted Ewood some time ago about Shearer.

So they and every other ambitious club in Europe would probably like to sign him. That's hardly "news".

Shearer's attitude, of course, will be crucial and he hardly seems to be breaking his neck to get away from a club where he has been more than happy for the past four years.

And Rovers are attempting to make at least one more major signing to give Shearer the sort of side to play in that can challenge for the championship again.

Ambition will count more than anything else for the player but, if he was so desperate for a move, a holiday could surely be delayed a few days.

His departure for the sunshine also makes nonsense of the supposed showdown he is reported to be having with Jack Walker this week.

It has turned out to be a summer of turmoil for Rovers supporters and, understandably, despite all the determined re-assurances, their anxiety is constantly being refuelled by all the speculation.

But Rovers can only re-affirm their position which hasn't changed and is unlikely to do so if Jack Walker, Robert Coar, Ray Harford etc have anything to do with it.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.