Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney can lead England's attack for the next deca

Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney can lead England's attack for the next decade, according to Alan Shearer... The Newcastle striker, who scored 30 goals in 63 games for his country, has backed the

Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney can lead England's attack for the next decade, according to former England international Alan Shearer...

The Newcastle striker, who scored 30 goals in 63 games for the Three Lions, has backed the Merseyside duo to spearhead the England strikeforce for at least the next two World Cups.

Shearer also laughed off any suggestions that the relatively small size of the Everton and Liverpool stars would prevent them from forming a prolific partnership.

Instead, the best Premiership player of the decade insists they each have enough God-given talent to compliment each other perfectly and give defences the world over something to think about.

"Wayne Rooney has the potential to be huge star," said Shearer.

"I can't remember anybody coming on the scene so quickly and making such a huge impact.

"Rooney and Michael Owen could well be the England pairing for the next six to 10 years."

With Gerard Houllier predicting an "awesome" goalscoring season for Owen this term, the pressure remains on the Anfield star to lead the line as Liverpool challenge for a first title since 1990.

And Shearer, who also has dreams of landing the championship, believes that the 23-year-old will continue to thrive on the responsibility.

"I have lost count of the number of times people said to me Michael Owen's form was indifferent last season. But he still finished with 28 goals," added the former Southampton and Blackburn striker.

"That's the standard he has set over the years and he is still only 23.

"There is a lot more pressure on Michael because if he is not scoring goals at Liverpool then not many people are.

"At times he's underestimated because of the expectation that surrounds him."