Soccer: Lineker offers Owen a hand

England legend Gary Lineker has offered his services to help Michael Owen improve his international game.

Lineker, who scored 48 goals in 80 appearances for his country, feels he can pass on some of his in-depth knowledge of how to find the net against top-class opposition to the young Liverpool frontman.

‘‘I can definitely see him improving certain parts of his game,’’ Lineker said.

‘‘There are certain aspects of his game which could be better, things I know I could help him with; movements I could suggest from dead balls, little plays when players have the ball in certain positions.

‘‘It is just a matter of fine tuning.

‘‘I remember a little move I used to do at corners which I learned from Hugo Sanchez and it got me three or four goals a season.

‘‘I would be absolutely delighted to help him, but he will learn most of it himself through experience. I never really learned much from managers.

‘‘They try to tell you how to play up front, but most of them have not got a clue they have no idea how difficult it is to score goals at the highest level.’’

Lineker struck up a great understanding with strike partner Peter Beardsley in the 1986 World Cup finals which saw him score six goals in Mexico to finish as the tournament’s top scorer.

And the former Barcelona and Tottenham forward has no doubts that Owen can go on to eclipse his own achievements providing the 21-year-old is given the right support in attack.

‘‘Michael Owen’s form of late makes him a certainty to start for England against Greece in the forthcoming World Cup tie, but what role he will be asked to perform is less certain,’’ said Lineker.

‘‘I believe Sven-Goran Eriksson must play him in a more advanced position than of late which means he needs someone alongside him or, perhaps I should say, just behind him - who is prepared to act as his provider.

‘‘There is still no one better at doing precisely that than Teddy Sheringham, the footballer of the year.’’