Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has moved to refute claims made by FA chairman Greg Dyke that foreigners in English football are not healthy for the regional game.
On Thursday Dyke asserted that England's youngsters have had their development hindered due to the high volume of foreign quantities in the Premier League, thus having negative long-term implications on the national team.
However, Di Canio - who first arrived in England in 1997 to join Sheffield Wednesday - believes that talent from overseas can prove beneficial for the nation at both club and international level.
"[Foreign influence] can help raise standards in England, bringing fresh techniques and ideas," the Italian told reporters.
"But if English players buy into different techniques and ideas, they [England] will not go out of tournaments early.
"That is what I hope for, because there are positive foreign influences on the English game."
Di Canio also enjoyed spells with West Ham United and Charlton Athletic, before returning to English football in a managerial capacity with Swindon Town in 2011.
Shane Callaghan
