So, the North-East is a hotbed of English football? Try telling Sven-Goran Eriksson.

It is a sad indictment on the region that just two players playing in the area, Kieron Dyer and Gareth Southgate, are representing England at the World Cup.

Yes, Sunderland's sizeable Irish contingent, plus an assortment of other internationals from Newcastle and Middlesbrough, are giving the North-East giants a presence in the Far East.

But isn't it embarrassing that fans of the big three will tomorrow have to cheer on an England side devoid of a single player to whom they can point and proudly boast: "He's one of us."

Sir John Hall's ambition to build a team full of Geordies, managed by a Geordie, now resembles a sick joke. And Sunderland and Middlesbrough are no better.

Of course, Alan Shearer would have been in Eriksson's squad had he not decided the World Cup was a tournament too far.

Kevin Phillips, an adopted Mackem whose talent only blossomed once he moved to Sunderland, was in Eriksson's thinking until only a couple of months ago.

And Ugo Ehiogu can feel unfortunate to have been edged out by Martin Keown.

Dyer and Southgate will fly the North-East flag with pride, but their accents betray their heritage - more Ipswich and Watford than Ingleby Barwick or Wallsend.

Of the 27 players Eriksson has called up or could have recruited for his squad, including stand-by players David Dunn and Alan Smith, none were born in this area.

Just four years ago, Shearer, David Batty, Rob Lee and Paul Merson were rewarded for sterling displays for their respective North-East clubs with an invite to the World Cup party.

In 1990, the squad led by Chester-le-Street's Bryan Robson, which came oh so close to the final, resembled a North-East love-in.

As well as Robson, there was Waddle and Beardsley, Gazza of course, and manager Bobby Robson bleeds black and white.

It is why this year's squad makes such depressing reading for North-East football supporters divided by club loyalties but united behind England.

Jack Hixon, the legendary scout who has made a career out of unearthing gems in the area, said: "It's a shame there aren't more local lads in the squad because it would make the fans proud to see one of their players representing England.

"But you don't have a divine right to be in the squad, or for a region to have a certain number of players in the squad.

"I think Michael Carrick and Michael Bridges have been unfortunate with injury, and Alan Shearer is Sven's biggest miss.

"There's no doubt whatsoever that he would have been in the squad because he's still the best player of his type in the country.

"Players are still coming through - Michael Chopra is an outstanding talent - but I would like to see more North-East players playing for England."

England's success is the main objective, of course, and a Michael Owen goal tomorrow will be cheered as loudly as one from Dyer or Southgate.

But a footballing hotbed? According to Eriksson, it's barely even lukewarm.