NOT since the days of John Barnes and Chris Waddle have England had a natural left-midielder, but the next wing wizard could hail from the North-East.

Even when the Ukraine visit St James' Park tomorrow night there will not be one player Sven-Goran Eriksson can call upon who plays in that role on a regular basis.

Steve Guppy, Steve Froggatt, Steve McManaman, Kieron Dyer and Darren Anderton are among a long list who have been tried and largely failed on the flank.

But at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium tonight, there are two youngsters ready to pull on an Under-21 shirt who are being touted as possible solutions to that problematic position.

In Boro's Stewart Downing and Newcastle's James Milner, England have two players taking their primary steps to stardom. Both have two good feet and both can play down the left flank.

Under-21s boss Peter Taylor has only had the pleasure of working with the two starlets for the past couple of days and he has already seen enough from the pair to suggest they have international futures.

"Stewart's a young boy with a lot of talent. He can change the direction of a ball with either foot and he looks a very good player," said Taylor, who is also Hull City manager on a full-time basis.

"I actually tried to get him on loan this season but Steve McClaren told me that he was going to be involved at Middlesbrough. He needs to get into Middlesbrough's first team and play Under-21 football and then we will see what happens on the England front.

"The same really can be said about James. The two days training I have had with him have been good. He looks a very intelligent footballer and I can't believe he's so young. He's an outstanding talent. I thought he was a left-footed player but he can use both."

Taylor, a left-footed winger himself for his country in the 1970s, is preparing to take charge of an Under-21 game for the first time since July 1999 in a friendly with the Ukraine tonight.

And, since agreeing to become the young England manager for a second time, the ex-Leicester boss insists he is focused on trying to finally end their search for an out-and-out left midfielder.

"It's one of the things I have thought about," said Taylor, who is well aware of Downing's impact as a substitute on Saturday when he scored Boro's first goal against Newcastle.

"I would like to help produce more left sided players for the senior team and Stewart comes in to that bracket. We have Stewart, James and Peter Whittingham from Aston Villa who are in this squad of mine. Stewart played well on Saturday and I'm sure he will be keen to play well in front of his own supporters on Tuesday night. He's definitely starting and I'm sure he will do well.

"We all know the manager would like some more left-footed players in the team. If we can get one or two through that would be great."

Downing has been likened to his hero Ryan Giggs after a number of cameo roles for Boro and a successful loan spell at Sunderland last season.

But the 20-year-old, who in his earlier days played for the same Marton club that nurtured Jonathan Woodgate, does not believe in comparisons - although he admits he would love to achieve half of what the Manchester United wide-man has done over the years at Old Trafford.

"I need to keep playing well for my club and hopefully the chance to fill the gap on the left side of midfield for England will come along," said Downing. "I am only a young lad and I know it's a big step up but hopefully I can make that step.

"To call me the new Ryan Giggs is a little ridiculous but he is a great player. If I'm as good as him one day then I will be happy."

Taylor is back in the job he revelled in between 1996 and 1999 and he has the chance to take his first look at his new squad on Teesside tonight.

In a 25-man squad there are ten uncapped players as England look towards European Championships qualifiers against Austria and Poland next month.

And Taylor said: "It was a little strange on Saturday night because I'm Hull manager and we got beat 3-2 at Port Vale and then I had to discuss my squad for the Under-21s."

* Tickets for tonight's game (kick-off 8pm) can be purchased from the ticket hotline on (01642) 877745. Prices: Adults £10, Under 16s and OAP's £5.