Ian Wright given perfect Match of the Day send-off by Lineker and Shearer amid new roles

Both Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have sent messages to fellow pundit Ian Wright ahead of his final appearance on Match of the Day.

The former Arsenal striker announced earlier in the season that he would be leaving the show at the end of the campaign. His final show comes on Sunday night as he runs the rule over Manchester City beating Arsenal to the Premier League title on the final day.

He made his debut on the show as a player in 1997 and following his retirement in 2000. He became a regular pundit in 2002. After a few years away he returned in 2015 and has been a regular fixture on the show ever since.

In his announcement back in December, the 60-year-old said that it was time “to do a few more different things with my Saturdays.” He has since turned to acting in a Netflix drama called the Kitchen and gone into business with his Uncle Wrighty's pie brans.

It seems he will be missed greatly on Match of the Day by presenter Linker and fellow regular pundit Shearer, whose messages have been shared by BBC Sport.

“Ian Wright the pundit, the last Match of the Day that he does with us will, yeah, I think it will be emotional,” Lineker said. “Both Alan and myself have a lot of affection towards Ian, we have a great relationship.

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“I’m not sure I’ll hold myself together because I tend to show my emotions more and more as I get older and I think Ian’s possibly the same. Alan’s a bit tougher, I’m sure he’ll be fine

Shearer repeated a similar message. However, the fellow striker did send a warning to Wright over the time they will now spend together on the golf course.

“We’ll miss sharing a day, sharing a studio with him because they’re great days,” he said. “We’ve spent so many days in the studio, so many nights out together and had so many laughs together and that will not change.

“I wish him well, I will spend many times with him in the pub, I will spend many times with him on the golf course and he will not beat me.”

Wright’s final appearance on the show will air on Sunday night on BBC One at 10.30pm. Highlights of all 10 Premier League final-day games will be shown.