England's bid team are regrouping from a rocky period which has seen the departure of seven board members, the latest being Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards, who stood down on Tuesday.

And former board member Karren Brady, one of six people to leave the bid team earlier this month as part of a restructure, has warned England's bid was in danger of being seriously undermined by internal politics.

But former England captain Shearer insists the right decisions have been taken and has backed the bid to succeed.

"There have been changes at the top, but I think people have looked at things, and how they could improve things, and I think that was only right that happened," Shearer told Sky Sports News.

"But I still think we have an excellent bid overall in England, I think the right people are in charge of that and we're all pretty confident."

He added: "I was fortunate enough to play in a World Cup and play in a European Championship here on home soil in Euro 96.

"It was a fantastic atmosphere to play in. It will be all that and a hell of a lot more come 2018."

The cities, which contain 21 stadiums, will be narrowed down to 10 cities and 12 to 18 stadiums on December 16 to form part of England's candidate file to be submitted to FIFA in May.

FIFA's vote on the World Cup hosts takes place in early December 2010.

The hopeful cities who submitted their applications today were Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Newcastle-Gateshead, Nottingham, Plymouth, Sheffield and Sunderland.

Magpies legend Shearer is naturally backing the Newcastle-Gateshead bid and believes St James' Park would be a perfect venue for 2018.

"Whenever you speak to anyone about football, the first thing they'll say to you about Newcastle is about the passion of the people," he said.

"They turn up in their thousands week-in and week-out, despite being in the Championship an average attendance of 44,000 this year is just absolutely incredible."

Shearer added that both north-east rivals Sunderland and Newcastle-Gateshead could happily co-exist as host venues, despite their geographical proximity, saying: "I think we can do. We are two different cities. very different to Manchester or Liverpool.

"We both have excellent stadiums, so I don't see any reason why not."

MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman, also present at Wembley today to front the Milton Keynes bid alongside manager Paul Ince, shares Shearer's view that the England bid remains in good health despite the recent upheaval.

"We've been working with the FA for six months on the bid and they are very clear on what they are trying to do," Winkelman told Sky Sports News.

"The in-fighting that goes on is about the bid being in the best position it can be to help the country win it next year.

"I think it's a positive sign, not a negative sign, that people are working so hard to make sure the situation is right. You have to go through those processes because it is important and people are prepared to fight about it."