TONIGHT'S clash between Rovers and Villa at Ewood brings together two strikers who hope to force their way into the England set-up over the next few years.

Villa's Darius Vassell has already been granted his chance under Sven Goran Eriksson and he seized it with both hands by bagging a goal on his debut in the recent friendly with Holland.

And Rovers hitman Matt Jansen is surely not far behind as he, too, begins to find his feet in the Premiership.

Jansen must have caught Eriksson's eye with a goal and an impressive performance against Spurs in the Worthington Cup final at Cardiff 10 days ago.

And he then followed that up with another scintillating strike against Bolton at the weekend -- further proof that he's now becoming Rovers' man for the big occasion.

But Rovers fans already know about Vassell's sense of occasion, too, after the England Under 21 man scored in the 2-0 win at Villa Park earlier in the season.

MATT JANSEN

Born...Carlisle

DOB...20.10.79

Caps... England U-21s

Season apps...34

Season goals...13

Yellow cards...2

Red cards...0

DARIUS VASSELL

Born...Birmingham

DOB...30.6.80

Caps... England 1 (1 gl)

Season apps...35

Season goals...11

Yellow cards...4

Red cards...0