Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has disagreed with Football Association chairman Greg Dyke's claims that the vast foreign contingent in the Premier League is ruining the development of the England national team.

Dyke stated in his first speech as chairman that there are too many foreign players, managers and owners in the top flight, but Italian coach Di Canio believes that foreign influence can help England.

"I do not agree that a big foreign influence in the English game is a bad thing – though I can sympathise with those that do," the Shields Gazette quotes Di Canio as saying.

"My own view is that England should have an English manager for it's national team, that's just the way I feel, but I also feel that there is a lot of benefit that English football can get from being exposed to footballers and managers from abroad. Better footballers from abroad can help raise standards in England in my opinion."

Meanwhile, England are preparing to face Moldova in a World Cup qualifier this evening.