Football: Shearer surgery

ALAN SHEARER, the Blackburn Rovers striker, is almost certain to miss England's World Cup qualifier against San Marino next month after a cartilage operation that could mean four weeks on the sidelines. The Blackburn Rovers striker saw a specialist at Ewood Park yesterday and hours later was undergoing keyhole surgery.

Les Ferdinand, who could earn an England call in Shearer's absence, will be staying at Queen's Park Rangers until the end of the season. Richard Thompson, QPR's chairman, reached the decision after a meeting with his team manager, Gerry Francis.

SCOTLAND'S midweek matches in Scotland have all fallen 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, Jan 26; Stenhousemuir v Alloa, 19 Jan).