BUSINESSES across the region are preparing themselves for a surge in staff taking sickies during the World Cup.

Thousands of work hours and profits could be lost as staff take time off during the five-week tournament, which kicks off in Germany on Friday.

The effect is not expected to be as bad as in Japan and South Korea in 2002, when time differences between England and the Far East meant daytime matches.

But England could still be involved in early afternoon games, including a potential quarter-final clash with Argentina if Sven-Goran Eriksson's team finish second in their group.

Companies are being urged to be flexible to allow their employees to watch the games.

Newcastle United fan Kevin Miles, the international co-ordinator of the Football Supporters' Federation, said: "The World Cup only comes around once every four years and clearly generates lots of interest.

"It may well be in the longer-term interest of companies - particularly in terms of staff morale - if some flexibility was introduced to allow staff to watch the matches."

Among the companies allowing staff to swap shifts or watch the games are Orange, in Darlington, and Nissan, in Sunderland.

An estimated one in ten fans admitted they would be prepared to take a sickie to watch a match.

Businesses are also bracing themselves for a possible knock-on effect the day after big games.

Elaine Shears, branch operations manager from LMR recruitment agency, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, will help to staff the shortfall caused by staff hangovers.

She said: "We are preparing ourselves because we will get a lot of last-minute calls."

An annual survey by the Confederation of British Industry showed that more than £13bn and 66 million days were lost last year due to staff absenteeism in the public sector.

Liz Smith, assistant regional director of CBI North-East, said: "Employers are concerned that the World Cup may lead to rises in absence. However, we would encourage businesses to adopt a flexible approach, where possible, to ensure that their needs are met."

Andrew Sugden, policy director of the North East Chamber of Commerce, said many sectors, including the hospitality and leisure industries, benefitted from such events.

He said: "We do find that when England do well, there is a great buoyancy.

"We are praying for England to do well in the competition and get some feelgood factor."

* Fans making every effort to catch England's games will also hope striker Wayne Rooney makes the same recovery as a seal named after him at Scarborough's Sea Life Centre, who has made a recovery from a wounded flipper.