HE'S flying the flag for England.

And Southampton mayor John Slade has predicted a winning start for Sven-Goran Eriksson's side.

He forecasts a 1-0 victory over Paraguay today and has tipped his daughter Melanie's boyfriend, former Saints star Theo Walcott, to score the all-important goal.

Councillor Slade will be cheering on the team in front of his television at home in Bitterne Park while 17-year-old Mel enjoys the match with the other "footballers' wives".

The Itchen College A-level student flew out to Germany on Thursday with the full backing of her dad.

He said: "She has our full support. It is a lovely opportunity. When you're 17, the world's your oyster take it with both hands!

"She is a very level-headed young girl and is looking forward to it. She phoned and spoke to her mother on Thursday. Everything is OK and she is probably enjoying the sunshine."

He said that Mel would be travelling back and forward between Southampton and Germany during the World Cup to fit in with her exams.

The young couple started dating nine months ago when Theo earned just £90 a week and had not even played for Saints' first team.

Now he is at Arsenal where, although not appearing in the first team, he made enough of an impression to be named in England's World Cup squad.

Theo spotted Melanie working in Claire's Accessories in the WestQuay shopping centre, where she still has a job.

Asked how his daughter was coping after being thrust into such a glamorous world, the mayor said: "She is not somebody who rushes out to buy new clothes, she has got a good selection already.

"Nowadays it seems that more and more of the importance is on the footballers' partners as much as it is on the footballers.

"It means that the partners have to be much more aware that they have to take the limelight and they take some of the pressure that goes with the job."

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