Lineker keeping expectations low

Gary Lineker has warned fans not to get their hopes up about England's chances at Euro 2012, saying: "I reckon we'll end up disappointed as usual."

Lineker, who scored 48 goals for England, does not see Roy Hodgson's men as being among the favourites in Ukraine and Poland.

"It might make a pleasant change that our expectations for the team are rather low this year," Lineker said in a Reader's Digest interview quoted in the Daily Star. "But I reckon we'll end up disappointed as usual."

But Lineker, 51, does expect British athletes to impress at the Olympics.

He added: "As England invariably let you down it's great to have the Games to look forward to.

"They're an amazing showpiece for the nation and we're really good at putting on a spectacle.

"Also, the host country tends to up its game, so I think we'll break all our records and win a lot of medals."

Lineker took exception to the way the interview was presented in a national newspaper, with the headline: "Lineker: England team are losers."

The former Everton and Tottenham striker tweeted: "If anyone has a recording of me uttering the words 'England team are losers' I'll resign."