'He's worried about his record!' - Gary Lineker aims playful dig at Alan Shearer over Match Of The Day absence with claim he's concerned about Erling Haaland's new contract

Former Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United striker Shearer is the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer with 260 goals to his name. Haaland is a long way short of that mark at present, with 79 efforts recorded so far, but has time on his side.

It is considered to be only a matter of time before Haaland becomes a top-flight centurion in England. He has also committed to a new 10-year deal at the Etihad Stadium taking him through to 2034. If those terms are seen out, then there is the promise of many more goals to come.

Shearer has already conceded that his record is under threat. Lineker has now teased his fellow ex-England frontman, saying on Match of the Day when explaining the 54-year-old’s absence from punditry duty: "Bad day for Alan Shearer with Newcastle getting hammered (4-1 by Bournemouth)."

Quizzed by former Liverpool star Danny Murphy on whether he has heard from Shearer, Lineker added with a smile on his face: "No, particularly since Haaland signed a nine-and-a-half-year contract. He’s worried about his record."

Haaland hit 36 goals in his debut Premier League campaign, before finding the target on 27 occasions in his second. He is closing in on the 20-goal mark again this term and will expect to average at least that return over the course of his long-term contract.