DAVID DUNN will get his first team chance tomorrow when he stands in for the suspended Garry Flitcroft in the FA Cup tie at Barnsley.

The England Under 21 midfielder has been on the bench for three of the last four Premiership games as Tugay and Flitcroft have got the nod in the centre of the park.

But he comes back into the fold tomorrow.

"Dunny will start," confirmed Rovers boss Graeme Souness. "He will get his chance. I know he wants to play every game but you have got to remember he is only 20 years old and we have to look after him."

With £7.5 record signing Andy Cole ineligible, it also gives strikers Ciccio Grabbi and Egil Ostenstad another chance to try and stake their claim for a place.

There have been rumours of both leaving Ewood Park but Souness confirmed nothing as yet has happened.

"Nothing has changed in their situations with the arrival of Andy Cole. People know Egil is available because he is not getting a regular start and that hasn't changed. Grabbi is the same."

Souness knows that people will be prepared for First Division Barnsley to upset Rovers tomorrow but he is confident they can get through.

"They are an in form team in the first division and we are an out of form team in the Premiership.

"Steve Parkin has done a good job since he has gone there but we have got to play like we did in the second half against Tottenham. We are only missing by a short distance at the moment."

"We are disappointed to lose Andy for this game, but we knew that when we signed him. The important thing is he is eligible for Tuesday's Worthington Cup game and every game after that, except for a potential replay with Barnsley."

Meanwhile, Blackburn's out-of-favour full-back Jeff Kenna is hoping to make his loan move to Nationwide First Division club Birmingham City a permanent one.

Kenna, who has already spent a spell on loan at Second Division Wigan this season, has helped the Blues keep two clean sheets in three games since signing on loan from the Ewood Park club.

The Dublin-born Republic of Ireland international, who has made 27 appearances for his country, has been out of favour at Blackburn since Graeme Souness took over as manager.

Kenna made his Birmingham debut in the 1-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday and then featured in the 3-0 win at Stockport and the 1-1 home draw with Nottingham Forest on New Year's Day.

"Since Graeme Souness took over at Blackburn it hasn't worked out for me," said Kenna.

"But the gaffer (Steve Bruce) has given me a chance to play and hopefully I can earn a contract at the end of it.

"I'm really loving my football here at the moment."

Kenna misses tomorrow's Birmingham's FA Cup third-round tie with Liverpool on Saturday as Blackburn do not want him cup-tied.