TORE Andre Flo is one of the worst strikers in the Premiership - and that's official.

According to OPTA, who put together statistics on the performances of every top-flight player, Flo is ranked 28th out of 32 forwards this season.

The £8.2m striker admitted earlier this month that his early form for Sunderland has been "disappointing".

And the stats back up that blunt assessment, with only four forwards ranked below him in the OPTA table.

Of the strikers who have had more than 450 minutes' playing time this season, only Bolton Wanderers duo Michael Ricketts and Henrik Pedersen, plus Andy Cole and James Beattie, are below Flo.

The top of the table is dominated by Arsenal, with the first three spots taken by Thierry Henry, Sylvain Wiltord and Kanu.

Joseph Job is the highest-placed North-East player in sixth, with Alan Shearer ninth and Massimo Maccarone 11th.

OPTA RANKINGS

Top eight

Player Team OPTA Mins played

1. Henry Asnl 1424 708

2. Wiltord Asnl 1386 738

3. Kanu Asnl 1259 485

4. Zola Chels 1062 681

5. Owen Lpool 1053 667

6. Job Boro 952 535

7. Anelka ManC 927 810

8. C'bell Eve 910 810

Bottom eight

25. Morrison Bham 544 514

26. Roberts WBA 539 784

27. Euell Charl 531 791

28. Flo Sund 526 489

29. Cole BBurn 519 621

30. Ricketts Bolt 467 528

31. Beattie Sot 295 667

32. Pedersen Bolt 244 551