England footballers may hire guards to protect mansions from 'Away Day Robbers'

England footballers have been asked to hire guards to protect their WAGs and families at home while they are playing in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Ace players, including skipper Rio Ferdinand, could spend up to six weeks in South Africa for the World Cup, and this makes their mansions easy targets for a gang dubbed the "Away Day Robbers".

At least 20 players' pads have been raided in the North West, including Liverpool's Steven Gerrard's when he was playing at away games, The Sun reports.

Professional Fotballers Association chief Gordon Taylor said, "We've had families being intimidated, if not attacked, particularly when it's known players are at games.

"Everybody will know those who are in South Africa," he added.