EWOOD star David Dunn has been forced to put his World Cup dreams on hold after being picked for England Under 21s at the weekend.

Dunn had been touted as a possible candidate for Sven Goran Eriksson's full international squad after a string of impressive performances.

But Under 21s boss David Platt phoned the Rovers youngster late last week to say he wanted to field his strongest side possible for their two-legged play-off against Holland.

However, he hinted that the 21-year-old is not far from Eriksson's thoughts.

"I spoke to Sven two or three weeks ago and he recognised this is a major game for us against the Dutch on Friday," said Platt.

"We had a chat and, rather than me taking players like Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard who are eligible for the Under 21s, we agreed it would be more a case of using players who had been used before.

"I had to turn round and say to Sven, 'Look, your game's important and my game's very, very important from my point of view; but the morale of my squad is also very important and the players who have got us here should be given the opportunity to take us further.

"So in the case of those who might be on the tip of everyone's tongues as Under 21 players who could get a call for one of the four or five senior friendlies for Sven to have a look at them, I think that's going to be more in the spring than it is for this game against Sweden."

When pressed as to which players he was refering to, he mentioned Dunn, Southampton's Wayne Bridge, Aston Villa's Darius Vassell, Chelsea's John Terry and Tottenham's Ledley King.

"There are probably four or five who are capable, not just in terms of ability but mentally as well, of making the step up," added Platt.

"However, I don't think there's four or five places up for grabs in the senior squad.

"We're only talking about a couple, at most, and that's because of the strength that's already there.

"It's not just a question of breaking into the England team: it's a question of breaking into a very good, young England team.

"Even so, my message to the Under 21s would be that they're knocking on the door.

"There's a manager above me who speaks to me on a regular basis about who's done well and who hasn't, who's capable of stepping up and who isn't.

"So the message is to continue to perform on the training pitch with the Under 21s or the full squad and for your club.

"Then see what door opens."

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