England boss Sven Goran Eriksson is fully behind Albion's new stadium plans, the Falmer inquiry has been told.

David Davies, chief executive of the Football Association, told how the Swede studied plans for the new ground, which could be used to host the national side.

The inquiry heard a 22,000 all-seater stadium would put Brighton on the international football map and help the Albion push for Premier League and European football.

Mr Davies told the inquiry: "What appears to be available is a rebirth of football in this area - of benefit to the whole area.

"I have seen the plans for the stadium, which are spectacular. If this stadium goes ahead I see a situation in which not just domestic games but international games at a senior level, certainly under-21, will come to this area.

"I know Sven Goran Eriksson has seen the plans for the stadium and is very excited - and also David Platt, our under-21 coach.

"I can't help on location but I can on potential. We think the case for this new stadium is overwhelming."

Mr Davies said earlier: "I would think it immensely difficult to believe after this tortuous period that every other possible option has not been explored.

"I have seen that there are far more people who want to go to matches than are able to get in.

"The club's financial position would be significantly better if they were able to have a larger capacity.

"Clubs aspire to the very top. It is not inconceivable for this club with its catchments to aim for the top, to see European football and international football in this part of the world."

Under cross-examination, Mr Davies conceded that only two league clubs in the past 30 years had gone out of business for financial reasons.

Among Mr Davies's audience were club chairman Dick Knight and Hove MP Ivor Caplin.