TOMORROW'S game between Blackburn and Everton at Goodison brings together two midfielders who once competed for the same Rovers shirt.

Republic of Ireland international Lee Carsley used to be one of the first names on the team-sheet at Ewood following the club's relegation from the Premiership.

The gritty midfielder was even captain and finished the 1999-2000 season as Rovers' top scorer.

However, the arrival of manager Graeme Souness suddenly heralded a wind of change.

And that saw David Dunn installed as Garry Flitcroft's regular midfield partner -- leaving Carsley as the odd man out.

Eventually, his desire to return to the Premiership was satisfied when Coventry City agreed to sign him in a £2 million deal four months later.

But at the end of that season Rovers then swapped places with the Sky Blues in the top-flight thanks in no small part to some inspired displays from Dunn in midfield as Souness was proved right.

Now the Great Harwood-born youngster is an integral part of Rovers' Premiership squad while Carsley was recently plucked out of the Nationwide abyss again by Walter Smith.

Tomorrow they could be in direct opposition to each other and Carsley will be fired up to to prove a point by getting one over the man who ultimately replaced him.