ENGLAND skipper David Dunn goes into tonight's Under-21 clash with Italy knowing another captain's performance could catapult him into Sven Goran Eriksson's World Cup plans.

The inspirational Blackburn midfielder was one of four members of the Under 21s to be placed on standby over the weekend as injuries continue to haunt the England boss.

And, though he knows it's a long shot, the young Blackburn star still hasn't given up all hope of securing a late ticket to the greatest football show on earth.

"I heard over the weekend that I'd been placed on standby but I'm trying not to think about that right now because I just want to focus on doing my best for the Under 21s," said Dunn.

"But if there's an injury then I might get my chance so I'm even more fired up to do my best."

With Steven Gerrard already ruled out through injury and doubts still surrounding the fitness of midfield trio Kieron Dyer, Nicky Butt and David Beckham, Eriksson wasted little time in putting Dunn, Leeds United's Alan Smith, West Ham striker Jermaine Defoe and Aston Villa's Gareth Barry on stand-by.

All four players were involved in the Under 21s impressive 2-1 victory over Switzerland as they made their European Championship bow in Zurich on Friday night.

And the quartet look set to play a leading role again tonight as England chase a second successive victory against Italy in Basel.

"We got off to agreat start the other night against Switzerland so we've gained a lot of confidence as a result of that going into tonight," said Dunn, who is nursing a slight calf injury.

"I must admit I don't know too much about Italy because I was out injured the last time we played them.

"But you always know what you're going to get off them because they're a quality side full of quality players.

"So it's going to be tough but there's no reason why we can't beat them."

Meanwhile, Norwegian international Henning Berg has asked for extra time as he ponders his Ewood future.

As we revealed last week, the former Manchester United star's current contract with Rovers is due to expire in the summer.

But he does have the option of extending it by a another 12 months and he was supposed to give the club an answer this week before disappearing for the summer.

However, due to international commitments with Norway, the 32-year-old has now asked if he can delay his decision by another seven days.

So Rovers are expecting an answer from the popular centre-half early next week as Graeme Souness begins to formulate his squad for next season.

As I understand it, the Rovers boss did discuss his plans for the future with Berg prior to the final game of the season.

Berg is already locked in a four-way fight for the two central defensive places up for grabs.

And the impending arrival of Andy Todd in a £1 million deal from Charlton Athletic will only serve to increase that competition for places when the new season kicks-off.

EFE Sodje is accustomed to turning out in front of 5,000 at Gresty Road, so the chance to star before a worldwide audience is one he is determined not to pass up. The Crewe centre-back was yesterday called up to the crisis-hit Nigeria World Cup squad.

With Sunday Oliseh, Finidi George and Victor Agali out, coach Festus Onigbinde has handed Sodje a shock call-up to the squad.

Ahead of his first major international tournament, Sodje is determined to take full advantage.

The 30-year-old said: "It's a dream come true to be involved in the World Cup.

"I think for any player it is the biggest stage to play on and I'm so happy that I'm going to be part of it.

"It is definitely the highest point of my career, you can't have a higher point than the World Cup can you?"

Few are tipping Nigeria to get beyond the first round, and the omissions of Victor Agali and Sunday Oliseh have drawn criticism from key squad player Jay Jay Okocha.

The divide between players and federation, sparked by the Nigerian FA demanding players pay for their own airfares home after semi-final defeat at the African Nations Cup, is threatening to disrupt team morale.

The Nigerians are in the

Group of Death' with England, Argentina and Sweden, but Sodje is remaining cautiously optimistic.

"The chances for us to progress are there but it will be difficult so we will have to see," he said.

"Can we beat England? I don't know - we will just have to see what happens."

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