WORLD Cup fever is set to grip the nation again tomorrow as England take on Nigeria in a bid to secure their place in the second phase of football's most coveted competition.

Following England's inspired victory over many pundits' tournament favourites Argentina, last Friday, football fans in the region are expected to be glued to their television screens as Sven-Goran Eriksson's side take on the African side.

Nigeria are already out of the competition, losing to Argentina and Sweden in their first two group games, but there is a real fear in the England camp that the Africans will be looking to restore some pride following consecutive defeats.

The Argentina game was watched by hundreds of thousands of North-East fans last week, with many companies allowing staff to watch the match during extended lunch breaks.

Workers gathered in canteens and social areas to watch England's victory, and an estimated fifth of the region's workforce took the day off in order to see the game.

And tomorrow's 7.30am British-time kick-off in Osaka, Japan, is not expected to deter fans from tuning in.

Many workers have already booked in a day-off and, despite the early kick-off, many will be watching the match in their local pub.

Landlords across the North-East have applied to magistrates for licences, and many will be serving full English breakfasts and pints before the game starts.

The Gala Theatre, in Durham, has set up a big screen for the game, and staff at Northumbrian Water will be able to watch the match in their offices at Pity Me, near Durham.

Even some schools in the region have been gripped by the World Cup fever. St John the Evangelist School, in Billingham, Teesside, will also put up a giant screen for pupils, staff and parents to watch.