LITTLE Lisa Wyatt summed up the mood of the nation yesterday when she caught sight of one of England's Munich heroes.

The primary schoolgirl, from Consett, County Durham, ran up to David Beckham and gave the England captain a great big hug - something half the country would like to have done after his efforts in Saturday's 5-1 defeat of Germany.

It was the kind of North-East welcome which the England star and his team mates were growing used to as they prepared for their next world cup qualifying game, against Albania, at St James' Park, Newcastle, tomorrow night.

Meeting the press at the Royal Derwent Hotel, at Allensford, near Consett, yesterday, Beckham revealed that the hysteria which followed the victory had not been lost on the players.

The midfielder said an impromptu shopping trip around Gateshead's MetroCentre on Sunday had to be abandoned, after he was mobbed by well-wishers.

"It started to sink in with me what this result meant," said Beckham.

"It was probably a bad idea, really, but you could see from the reaction we were getting how much it really meant to those fans. They're absolutely fantastic here.

"I have always had a good reception when I come here, and I am expecting more of the same on Wednesday."

The euphoria surrounding England has reached fever pitch ahead of tomorrow's game, when more than 52,000 fans are expected for the first international at Newcastle United's ground since 1938.

Ticket sales soared following Saturday's win.

A spokeswoman for the club said last night: "The tickets have been selling very well indeed.

"We have had queues outside, and the telephone lines have been engaged all day."

All of the least expensive tickets have been snapped up, although there are still some left in the £32 and £42 price range.

The success of the senior team has had a knock-on effect for tonight's England under-21 game at Middlesbrough. Officials expect 15,000 to be at the game.

Lisa Wyatt will not be at the game - although she asked her idol if he had a spare ticket.

"I just asked him if he had a ticket for Wednesday night and he said, 'no, sorry darling'. But he gave me a cuddle - it was dead nice."

There will be thousands more wanting to cuddle him if Becks can inspire England to the World Cup Finals