PHIL NEVILLE last night revealed his hopes of receiving a positive reaction from a vociferous North-East crowd as he continues his bid to lay the ghost of Charleroi to rest.

The Manchester United star has struggled to shrug off criticism from the England boo-boys since he gave away a late penalty against Romania in Belgium during Euro 2000.

England crashed out of the competition as a result of that spot-kick, which was converted by Ionel Ganea, and Neville has never been forgiven since by supporters across the country.

But now the full-back, who played in the centre of midfield against Serbia & Montenegro last week, believes he is finally putting the mis-timed foul on Romania's Viorel Moldovan to the back of his mind.

And Neville is hoping his good form continues if he turns out for his country at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium on Wednesday against Slovakia.

"A lot of negative things have been said about me in the past - probably since the Romania game in Charleroi," said Neville, who spent more than a 12 months out of Eriksson's plans.

"But since then a change of position has seen me come back into the squad after a year out and it feels like a new start.

"There's not much negativity around now and it's been nice.

"Ever since I played for England I have had some boos, but not just me, it was probably a few Manchester United players.

"But the important thing now is that when I do leave the field there's a pause and I need to win those fans over.

"Fans were probably aggrieved after what happened against Romania and it's up to me to win them over again.

"They are entitled to their opinions and I need them to have positive opinions about me."

Being ignored by Eriksson for so long made Neville more determined to bounce back onto the England scene.

But now the 26-year-old is back he is eager to stay there and he is convinced his versatility of playing at the back and in midfield has backed his cause.

"I think playing in the big Champions League games this season has helped me enormously because the boss looks on those games as being very important in a player's education," he said.

"There's other great midfielders in this squad and to pick me when others look on me as a full-back is a great honour and probably the biggest achievement so far for my country.

"I really enjoy playing in midfield because I like being involved. Things tends to go through you and it's a lot more enjoyable.

"It would be silly of me to start to think I could play midfield for my country regularly.

"It took me 20 odd games to gain the respect at club level and I need to do the same for England.

"I need to play there five or six times before I can get people to think I'm a midfielder."

Meanwhile, Arsenal and England defender Ashley Cole last night predicted David Seaman will turn on the style at Manchester City.

Seaman, who signed for City after being released by the Gunners, looks to have waved goodbye to his international career.

But Cole believes the 39-year-old is still capable of playing at the highest level.

"He is a good friend of mine as well and he has helped me a lot," said Cole. "He could get back in the England squad, but David James is also a great keeper."