BLACKBURN Rovers striker Jonathan Stead has been singled out as a potential England star of the future by Sven Goran Eriksson's assistant, Tord Grip.

Stead's scintillating form for Rovers in the Premiership has caught the eye of the England coaching staff.

And Grip has identified the 21-year-old as one of a crop of exciting young players who could come into the reckoning for the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Eriksson has already demonstrated that he's not afraid to give youth its chance when he handed teenager Wayne Rooney his debut as a 17-year-old.

Now Stead, Arsenal's David Bentley, and Leeds United forward James Milner have been singled out as possible stars of the future -- a view which was backed up by Rovers defender Craig Short earlier this week.

"There are some very good players in the Under-17, 18 and 19 age groups," said Grip.

"We are watching their progress carefully. I like the Arsenal player David Bentley, he is a very promising player.

"Then there is James Milner. It has not been easy for anyone at Leeds this season but he looks to have a bright future.

"Jon Stead, who has moved from Huddersfield to Blackburn, has also taken the eye.

"I have picked out these three but there are others, too, who are making excellent progress."