Sport in Short: Football

ALAN SHEARER, the Blackburn Rovers striker, is almost certain to miss England's World Cup qualifier against San Marino next month after keyhole surgery on his knee that could mean four weeks on the sidelines.

DAVE BEASANT, the Chelsea goalkeeper is moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan. Mike Stowell, the resident Molineux keeper, could be out of action for two months after a knee ligament operation.

SCOTLAND'S midweek matches fell victim to the wintry weather, which already has put Saturday's programme in jeopardy.

REARRANGED MATCHES: Premier Division: Hearts v St Johnstone, 20 Jan; Motherwell v Dundee Utd, Partick Thistle v Hibernian, 19 Jan; Rangers v Falkirk, 9 Feb. Second Division: Berwick v Brechin, East Fife v Clyde, Forfar v Queen's Park, E Stirling v Forfar, 26 Jan; Stenhousemuir v Alloa, 19 Jan.