ALAN Shearer, pictured right, looks to be ahead of schedule, as England and the Ewood striker step up their preparations for the fast-approaching European Championship finals.

And England coach Terry Venables will decide in the next few days whether Shearer has recovered sufficiently from minor surgery to make a comeback against Hungary at Wembley on Saturday.

Shearer missed Blackburn Rovers' last two League games to have some repair work done to damaged groin muscles.

But he still finished winner of the Golden Boot once again, as the Premiership's leading scorer with 31 goals.

Liverpool's Robbie Fowler failed to catch him during his last few matches.

After having the operation, Shearer said he was aiming to be ready for England's Far East trip, when they are scheduled to play their last two warm-up games before Euro 96.

But, as he met up with his squad for the Hungary match last night, Venables suggested that Shearer could yet play a part in Saturday's game.

It would be a terrific boost for the player if he was fit enough to be involved - and for the England coach. For, despite the recent challenge of players like Fowler, Les Ferdinand and Stan Collymore for the number nine shirt, there is no real doubt that - fitness permitting - Shearer will be wearing it when England kick off the championships at Wembley.

Meanwhile, there must still be a possibility of him having a new partner in the Rovers line-up when the Premiership restarts in August.

The club have been keeping tabs on French football recently and Bordeaux are in action again tomorrow night, when they play Bayern Munich in the second leg of the UEFA Cup final.

Zinedine Zindane was an original target, but manager Ray Harford has been particularly impressed by his Bordeaux team-mate, striker Christophe Dugarry.

Both men will feature for France in Euro 96 and any interested clubs would be wise to move in before then.

But one problem could be that I understand Italian clubs, notably Juventus, were in contact with Bordeaux even before Rovers took an interest in the UEFA Cup finalists.

Nicky Marker, the only senior player whose Ewood contract expires this summer, has agreed a new deal.

Marker, who joined Rovers from Plymouth in September 1992, signed a new two-year contract last night.

Although his first team appearances have been limited, Marker has proved himself a more than useful member of the squad.

He has never let the side down when he has been called upon, and provides valuable cover at both centre back and in midfield.

A model professional, Marker made a successful comeback from cruciate knee ligament surgery and started nine first team games last season.

He was also on the substitutes' bench on a number of occasions.

Chris Coleman has been named in the Welsh squad for their first World Cup qualifier in San Marino on June 2.

And two of the Ewood youngsters have been called up to the Wales under-21 squad to take on San Marino. They are goalkeeper Anthony Williams and striker James Thomas.

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