THESE wanted men are prime suspects behind the derby day trouble which flared up at last month's Sunderland-Newcastle United clash.

The Wear-Tyne derby on January 16 ended in a draw with Sunderland grabbing a last-minute Premier League equaliser which made the final score 1-1.

But the on-pitch drama at the Stadium of Light was marred by ugly scenes off it with violent clashes between rival fans and police both inside and outside the ground.

A total of 37 people were arrested on the day, for a range of offences, including one supporter who allegedly pushed United keeper Steve Harper in the back.

In a bid to weed out the other troublemakers Northumbria Police set up a dedicated inquiry team after the game to investigate the disorder.

And detectives have trawled photographs, CCTV and video footage from the day in an attempt to discover who was responsible.

Last week police released images of eight suspected yobs they wanted to trace, and thanks to information from members of the public four of these alleged hooligans have now been identified and arrested.

They were all questioned and have since been released on bail pending further investigations.

But detectives, from the team, are now once again asking people to help them by shopping the other yobs who brought shame on the game.

And they last night released new images of the four wanted fans still at large, along with pictures of two other suspected trouble-makers they think were central to the trouble.

Chief Supt Rachel Kearton, of Sunderland Area Command, has thanked the public for their help in identifying the four suspects, and once again urged anyone who recognises the men pictured to get in touch with them as soon as possible.

She said: “We will always act on information we receive from the public and their help is invaluable. Most football supporters want to come to the match and enjoy their day in an environment free from violence or disorder.

“Genuine fans can help us weed out the small minority who are there to cause trouble. I’d ask anyone who recognises the men in these photographs to contact us as soon as possible.” The attack on Harper was just one of the ugly scenes at the tense derby match, with missiles thrown onto the pitch, verbal abuse at players, and seats ripped out at the stadium.

Fans arrested on the day were suspected of a variety of offences. These included being drunk and disorderly, disorderly conduct and going into the playing area.

And supporters reported seeing bother inside the stadium with missiles thrown onto the pitch, verbal abuse hurled at players, and seats ripped out at the stands as tension between the rival supporters reached fever-pitch.

Anyone who recognises the men pictured or who has any other information is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 0345 604 3043.