By Matthew Jones
July 16 2005

Graeme Souness comments on Alan Sheaer and his pre-season. The striker, who will turn 35 enxt month, can't wait to start his season early after delaying his retirement for another 12 months. GRAEME SOUNESS: "He is raring to go.

"He has had a very good two weeks of pre-season so far, a very good two weeks. He has been an example to maybe some of the younger players in the squad.

"But that does not surprise me. He is playing football at 35 not because he needs the cash, not because he needs to score goals, not because he needs to prove himself to anyone, he is doing it because he loves football; he loves this football club and loves football.

"That is why he is still playing at the top at his age, because the first thing you lose before your legs is your appetite. I do not see that. That is why I was very keen for him to sign on for another year, because he showed no signs to me last year of a man who was ready to chuck it."

MEANWHILE, Alan Shearer commented on transfers: "I know they are all working hard to try and do deals for players,.

"The market might just hot up a little bit now things are starting to move.

"We've brought two in but we had a small enough squad last year and I think five to six have left and two have come in so people are still working hard to bring more players in."