EWOOD enforcer Garry Flitcroft today begged Sven Goran Eriksson to give him an England chance as he clutched on to his dream of playing in next summer's World Cup finals.

Flitcroft is desperate to pull on the famous three lions in Japan after representing his country at every other level bar the full international side.

And, after impressing the watching Eriksson with a man-of-the-match performance during Sunday's 7-1 demolition of West Ham, the tough-tackling Rovers skipper now wants the chance to prove he can do a similar job for England.

"I've got two ambitions left in my career -- to win something with Blackburn and to play for England," said Flitcroft.

"I've been called up twice to the shadow squad but never the full international side and it would be a dream come true if I did.

"The manager was there on Sunday and he's always said if people are playing well then he'll give them a chance.

"So I hope my opportunity might come along in the not too distant future.

"At 28, I don't think I'm too old to play international football and there are people within the England set-up who know what I'm all about.

"I was with Dave Sexton for two years at Lilleshall, for example, so he knows what I can do .

"But I've just got to keep doing it for Blackburn and then hope that I get noticed.

"The likes of Steven Gerrard are the players I want to measure myself against and I believe I can hold my own against anyone in this league on my day."

After fighting back from a serious knee injury which nearly wrecked his career, Flitcroft was outstanding during the second half of last season as Rovers chased promotion.

But now back in the Premiership and playing in a more advanced role, his game has moved on another level again.

And the former Manchester City ace believes he is currently playing as well as at any time since he left Maine Road in 1996.

"I had a spell under Roy Hodgson where I felt I played as well as I did when I was at City," said Flitcroft.

"But, at the moment, I'd probably say I'm playing as well as I ever have for Blackburn. People often tend to think of me as a player who likes to get stuck in but sometimes they don't always see the other side of my game as well.

"I read what the manager said after Sunday's match, for instance, and I agreed with him when he said my legs were tied together a bit last season playing in a different role.

"Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed playing that holding role because I saw a lot of the ball and it's your responsibility to break things up.

"But I also felt part of my game was getting stifled when I played there because I like to get forward and I've got the energy to get about the pitch.

"With Tugay coming in, that's now freed me up to play in my favourite position.

"He's a great footballer, we've both got a lot of respect for each other and it's a joy to play alongside a player like him.

"But I also enjoyed playing with Dunny last season and I think we worked well together, too."

Dunn had to settle for a place on the left rather than his more favoured central role against the Hammers on Sunday.

However, the 21-year-old also seized the chance to impress Eriksson with a mouthwatering performance.

And Flitcroft is certain the England Under 21 skipper also has what it takes to force his way into the full international side in the not-too-distant future.

"I think Dunny's got a great chance of getting the call," said Flitcroft.

"He's got all the ability in the world and he's frightening in the last third.

"I see him in training everyday and I know more than anyone what he can and can't do.

"Okay, he can be a bit naive at times but he knows that himself, he just loves playing football.

"He can only learn off someone like Graeme Souness, though, and I believe he can go all the way to the top if he wants to."