FIT-AGAIN striker Matt Jansen will step up his comeback from injury tomorrow night with a starting role against Walsall in the Worthington Cup.

Manager Graeme Souness today revealed the 25-year-old will definitely start his first game in the first team since the 3-0 win against Fulham on the final day of last season.

And the Rovers boss has described it as Jansen's biggest test yet as he looks for further signs of improvement following the forward's lengthy lay-off with a head injury.

"Matt will start the game and I'm looking forward to seeing how he performs," said Souness.

"He has done well in training but that's not the main thing, it's how he deals with playing in the games themselves.

"When he came on as a substitute against Newcastle and Arsenal I thought he looked sharp.

"But this is his first real test and it will be interesting to see how he copes with it."

Souness has always maintained he won't rush his leading scorer of the last two seasons back before he is ready.

But Jansen has continued to make excellent progress on the training ground as he feels his way back from the motorbike accident which almost ended his career.

He astounded medics by making his return in a recent reserve game against Everton at Widnes's Autoquest Stadium.

Then he followed that up with fleeting sub appearances in the wins over Newcastle and Arsenal but Souness opted to rest him completely against Aston Villa on Sunday in readiness for a more vigorous work-out against the Saddlers tomorrow.

However, the player himself has been quick to stress that fans should not expect too much from him, too soon.

"I guess you can look at it two ways. The encouragement from the supporters has given me a great feeling, but it has also made me realise how much everyone expects of me," said Jansen, the leading scorer in last season's Worthington Cup competition.

"The gaffer has explained that I'm not yet my usual self, but people want you to be at your very best very fast.

"I guess I just have to accept it."

Nevertheless, tomorrow night's game will be viewed as another important milestone on the long road to fitness.

Just before the accident, Jansen was on the verge of the England squad and he has certainly not given up on his international ambitions.

"It's going to be tough but I'm determined to get back to the way I was before the accident," added the striker.

"It's been a massive mountain to climb, but I feel like I'm starting to see the summit. I want to push myself even more now, and hopefully get back into contention for an England place.

"That has to be my aim.

"My dad has always said that I have never seen him cry, but that will all change the day I cross the white line with an England shirt on.

"So I'm determined to make him cry."

Fans can buy tickets at the turnstiles tomorrow. The prices are adults £10, concessions £5.