Shearer Hails Gazza And Beckham 'Best In The World'!

Meanwhile Paul Gascoigne has had a couple of weeks of torture, ending up in a mental hospital after running round naked ... waving a plastic parrot ... in a Gateshead hotel!

When asked (by the Chronicle) to name the "Best XI Players" Shearer has played with, he gave glowing praise to both players.

Shearer: "Paul Gascoigne, that game when England beat Scotland at Wembley just about sums up Gazza. In fact, I have to say that at one time Gazza was, in my eyes, the best in the world. The only pity is that he was not able to stay up there.

" David Beckham, speaking as a centre forward, Becks was a dream. He is a great crosser of a ball - the best in the world at one time. That's good enough to get him into my team."

Beckham missed the recent friendly at home to Switzerland due to a lack of match fitness but hopes to play his first England game under new manager Capello when they travel to Paris on March 26.

Capello: "Yes, Los Angeles Galaxy play in Dallas on March 14 and (assistant manager) Franco Baldini or I will go to see him and assess his fitness.

"He is in contention for France. We will check on him in Dallas and then we will decide whether he will be fit for that squad. He will get his 100th cap if he is fit and in form.

"I know Beckham very well from Real Madrid and I hope David will play the 100th game and get that cap.

"I understand from reading his last interview that at this moment his fitness isn't good and I will phone him because I want to know exactly what he thinks about his fitness."

As for Shearer XI: Tim Flowers, Gary Neville, Stuart Pearce, Tony Adams, Russell Osman, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Paul Gascoigne, Rob Lee,  Les Ferdinand, Teddy Sheringham. Subs: Jason Wilcox, Michael Owen, Gary Speed, Jimmy Case, Matt Le Tissier.