Shearer: Scholes' class will tell

Former England captain Alan Shearer has backed Paul Scholes to peak in Portugal and end the goal drought that has led some sceptics to question his place in Sven Goran Eriksson's starting line-up.

The Manchester United schemer has not netted for his country in three fruitless years, in a run of form which mirrors that of Shearer's leading into Euro '96.

Shearer had gone 12 internationals without scoring but then went on to be the tournament's leading scorer - netting five goals in the competition.

Although Scholes failed to net against Iceland in England's 6-1 triumph, a promising display has led Shearer to believe an upturn in fortune is just around the corner.

''What happens most in international football is that you peak when you play in big tournaments - and I have no worries about Paul Scholes,'' declared Shearer.

''If you ask footballers to pick out the player they most admire, so many of them will pick Paul Scholes.

''That is because of his outstanding ability. He can tackle and his passing and shooting is of the highest level.

''It is only a matter of time before he scores again.''

Club team-mate Phil Neville has echoed Shearer's words and backed Scholes to shine in Portugal.

''I can remember before Euro '96 that Alan Shearer hadn't scored for a long time and went on to set the tournament alight,'' continued Neville.

''It really wouldn't surprise me if Scholesy went on and did the same thing over the next three or four weeks.''

Scholes 10/1 to be top England scorer in the tournament - Click here for full odds with Sky Bet 

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