PAVEL Srnicek was famously a Geordie, and now another Czech national is set to become a native North-Easterner as David Rozehnal awaits the birth of his first child.

While Rozehnal's wife, Petra, is due to give birth to a son on Monday, the Newcastle defender has been given permission to miss today's trip to Manchester City if she enters labour in the early hours of this morning.

Having been born and raised in the Czech Republic, Petra could have opted to return home in order prevent her baby having a dual nationality.

But after successfully settling on Tyneside following his £2.9m move from Paris St Germain this summer, her husband is delighted that she has opted to remain in the North-East.

"It's important that my wife stays here to have the baby," said Rozehnal, who has started all six of Newcastle's Premier League games this season. "I'm settled with my football, and also with my private life.

"The baby's due to be born on October 1 and we'll be having him in Newcastle. Am I pleased he's going to be a Geordie? Yes. Although I'm hoping I don't have to miss this weekend's game to see him being born."

Despite only joining the Magpies in June, Rozehnal has already emerged as a fans' favourite following a series of uncompromising displays at the heart of the Newcastle defence.

Czech imports remain something of a rarity in the English game, yet Rozehnal is not the first player from his homeland to have been embraced as an honorary North-Easterner.

Srnicek made more than 180 appearances for the Magpies in the 1990s, and famously wore a T-shirt bearing the slogan "Pavel is a Geordie" at the height of his popularity.

"I've never met Pavel personally," said Rozehnal. "But I heard the story about his T-shirt and what a great job he did here.

"I know how popular he was. It was good for him and good for Czech football and, since then, Czech players seem to have had a good reputation in this country."

Rozehnal has not quite achieved Srnicek levels of popularity yet, but the unassuming 27-year-old is already having to get used to the increased attention that comes with a move to Newcastle United.

"I seem to get recognised a bit more as time goes on, and people come up to chat," he said. "It's not always about football, but they generally ask for an autograph.

"It's nice to see because I never had it when I played in the Czech Republic. There was a bit more interest in Bruges, and a bit more again when I went to Paris, but it wasn't really anything like it is here.

"It's helped me settle in, but the best thing to get me settled has been playing in the first team and not sitting on the bench.

"I expected Sam (Allardyce) to give me a chance and that's what he's done . After that it was up to me to show what I'm capable of, and hopefully I've done that."