Dunn tipped to become England star

DAVID DUNN finally made the breakthrough to the full England squad yesterday — and was immediately tipped to make a regular impression on the international set-up.

The Blackburn midfielder was drafted into Sven-Goran Eriksson’s party for the friendly against Portugal at Villa Park on Saturday following the withdrawal of Newcastle’s Kieron Dyer.

Former Under-21 captain Dunn was on stand-by for the World Cup squad over the summer and has impressed again at the start of the new season, scoring in Rovers’ 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Ewood Park last Wednesday.

So Eriksson had no hesitation in turning to the 22-year-old when Dyer was forced out. “David is a very good player and has lots of experience at Under-21 level, captaining the team,’’ said the Swede.

“I have watched him already this season for Blackburn and he was very close to being in the original squad.

“It will be a good opportunity to work with David and see what he can do.”

Rovers boss Graeme Souness, though, is in no doubt the young midfielder has the ability to become an England regular.

‘‘He has got tremendous natural ability, he is an extremely strong boy and he knows where he wants to be,’’ Souness said.

“He prefers to play in centre of midfield and he certainly thinks he is good enough to play at the highest level.

“England have some fantastic players, but in terms of raw ability he is up there with any of them you want to name.

“Like all boys that age he still doesn’t fully understand what it is all about, but he wants to learn and as long as he keeps wanting to learn he will be a top player.

“But he is only 22 and someone of that age has got time on his side and he will learn the game and will become an England regular.”

Souness was not convinced Dunn’s performances for England’s Under-21s would help him much in stepping up to the senior side. Instead he believes the player has had a greater learning curve experiencing the Premiership week-in, week-out.

“I think the Premier League is a far more demanding place to play football than Under-21 football,’’ claimed Souness. “He has shown last year, and he has started this season on fire, that he can deal with it.”

Dunn’s call-up sees him become - in the squad at least - a direct replacement for Dyer, whose injury nightmare once again threatens to hamper his England progress.

The Newcastle wide man failed to shine at the World Cup following a knee injury at the end of the season.

And the recurrence of his shin splints problem could now also see him missing from the Newcastle side as they look to step up their season in the Champions League.

The concern over Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, meanwhile, seems to be receding after he linked up with the England party despite picking up an ankle knock in Monday’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle.

“The medical people will assess Steven, but he can travel to join the England party,” revealed Liverpool assistant manager Phil Thompson.

“He showed the character he has to stay on the pitch last night.”