While Bristol pins its hopes on representing the West if England wins the right to stage the 2018 or 2022 World Cups, the battle to represent the Midlands is much more complicated.

Having started off in Bristol last week, the England 2018 World Cup bid team is finishing its first tour of potential host cities.

So today the Evening Post casts its eye over the four contenders from middle England: Birmingham, Derby, Leicester and Nottingham. Bristol would hope to be sufficiently south of Birmingham not to be in direct competition with England's second city, especially after being overlooked in 1966, the last time England hosted the tournament.

But Birmingham faces challenges from Leicester, Derby and Nottingham, all smaller cities with devoted fan bases and plans to redevelop their stadiums.

The England 2018 team need to select a minimum of 12 venues and are expected to select 12 cities in December from the 15 who have applied for inclusion in their bid book to FIFA.

Here is how the contenders for England's middle ground are shaping up:

BIRMINGHAM

Population:One million

Slogan:None as yet.

Stadium:Villa Park has a capacity of more than 42,000.

Selling point: Second largest city in England, transport hub in middle of the country, two Premier League football teams (Aston Villa and Birmingham City).

Random fact: The world's oldest football league was started in the city in 1888 by William McGregor of Aston Villa.

Events held there: Hosted group games in the 1966 World Cup, UEFA Euro 1996 matches, UEFA Cup Winner's Cup final in 1999, England internationals, the 9th IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships, the World Badminton Championships, the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Final, the World Junior Wheelchair Basketball Championships, the Trampoline and Tumbling World Cup Final and the 29th European Athletics Indoor Championships.

Attractions: Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Bullring shopping centre, canal network.

Transport links: At the heart of the country's road and railway network and serviced by Birmingham International Airport.

LEICESTER

Population: 280,000

Slogan: "One world, one passion, one Leicester"

Stadium: The Walkers Stadium has a capacity of 32,000 with plans to increase it to 45,000 if selected to be part of the bid. Outline planning permission has been granted.

Selling point: Diversity (40% of the city has an ethnic background and more than 80 languages spoken), sporting links (Leicester City FC and Leicester Tigers RFC), central location and compact city (a 'walking World Cup').

Random fact:Radio Leicester was Britain's first local radio station when it began to broadcast in 1967.

Events held there: The Walkers Stadium has hosted friendlies between England and Serbia & Montenegro as well as Brazil and Jamaica and has staged England U21 games, Darbar South Asian Music Festival, Special Olympics 2009 (21 sports and 2,700 athletes), Summer Sundae Weekender (6,000 people a day), Diwali religious festival (biggest Hindu festival outside of India with 60,000 people), Leicester Caribbean Carnival (60,000 people).

Attractions: National Space Centre, National Forest, Bosworth battlefield, concerts at De Montford Hall.

Transport links:Close to East Midlands, Birmingham and Stansted Airports, fast train links to London on the Midland Main Line, close the M1 and M69, coach/bus station, 99 miles from London.

DERBY

Population: 240,000

Slogan:"Inspire. Invest. Involve."

Stadium:Pride Park currently has a capacity of 30,000 and plans for temporary expansion to more than 40,000 subject to planning permission if the city is selected.

Selling point: The only World Heritage Site in the East Midlands, the country's most central city with 80 per cent of the UK's population living within a two-hour drive, Championship side Derby County and sharing the legend of Brian Clough with Nottingham.

Random fact: Derby County were one of the 12 founder members of the football league and played in a kit of chocolate, amber and pale blue.

Events held there:England Under 21 matches and a full international against Mexico, Women's FA Cup Final.

Attractions: The Peak district, National Forest

Transport links: The M1, M6, M42, A38 and A50 are all within minutes of the city, it is on the inter-city train network and East Midlands Airport is a 20-minute drive away.

NOTTINGHHAM

Population: 289,000

Slogan: "Aiming for 2018" (Using a Robin Hood logo)

Stadium: New 40,000-seater stadium at the planning stage for the Holme Pierrepont/Gamston area in Nottingham. This will be expanded to 50,000 if Nottingham Forest make it back to the Premier League and/or the city is selected for the World Cup.

Selling point:Central location, brand new stadium, football heritage and the legend of Nottingham Forest's two European Cups under Brian Clough, claims to be the most environmentally friendly bid.

Random fact: Nottingham has the oldest professional league club in the world, Notts County, which is also the closest in England from another league ground, Nottingham Forest, just across the River Trent.

Events held there: England cricket internationals at Trent Bridge, T20 Cricket World Cup, UEFA Euro 1996, Women's FA Cup Final, various championships at the National Watersports Centre, Nottingham Riverside Festival, Nottingham Open tennis tournament, One World One City festival, RObin Hood festival.

Attractions: Brian Clough statue, Robin Hood, the caves of Nottingham.

Transport links: Less than two hours by train to London, Birmingham and Manchester and close to the M1, A1, A52 and A46. Served by East Midlands Airport and Robin Hood Doncaster Airport.