ENGLAND wannabe Gareth Barry today predicted a bright international future for Rovers midfielder David Dunn as the pair prepare for Friday's crucial European Under-21 qualifier with Greece at Ewood.

Barry knows all about making the step up from the Under-21s to the senior squad after receiving a call-up himself under Kevin Keegan.

And, after watching Dunn terrorise his Aston Villa team-mates on Sunday, he is convinced the Ewood midfielder has the ability necessary to follow in his footsteps once he establishes himself in the Premiership.

"David Dunn is a brilliant player and I believe he could go to the very top," said Barry.

"He will be looking to play for England one day and I'm sure the England coaching staff will be looking at him like that, too.

"It was difficult for him last season because Blackburn were playing in the Nationwide League.

"But now they are back in the Premiership, things can change around for him quickly.

"The competition for places is very strong at the moment, especially with the full England squad doing so well under Sven.

"But all the young players are still confident they will get their chance at some point and I'm sure David is among them."

Dunn is currently battling to prove his fitness ahead of Friday's crunch meeting after recently returning from a medial knee ligament injury.

With Greece currently two points clear at the top of group 9, England need a win to guarantee a place in the play-offs for the finals next May.

And, after watching Dunn make his comeback at the weekend after a six week injury lay-off, Barry believes he has a great chance of appearing in front of his home fans.

"I watched him on Sunday against Villa and I thought he was Blackburn's best player on the day," said Barry.

"Even though it was his first game back after injury, I thought he looked very fit and strong and I was very impressed by his overall performance."

Meanwhile, ticket sales are going well ahead of the clash with 22,000 now believed to have been snapped up.

Ewood officials are hoping that figure will eventually top 25,000 and they are offering concessionary tickets at a bargain price of just £1 in a bid to boost the 'gate'.

Elsewhere, Stoke City want to take Rovers striker Marc Richards on loan.

City boss Gudjon Thordarson is keen on signing the 19-year-old frontman following the recent sale of former Rover Peter Thorne to Cardiff.

Richards has yet to make a first-team appearance for Rovers in the league.

But he recently completed a loan spell at Crewe, where he made five appearances for Dario Gradi's men, and he has also attracted interest from both Bristol Rovers and Blackpool.

Rovers winger Keith Gillespie has been forced to pull out of Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier with Malta on Saturday.

Gillespie is currently suffering from a knee injury which has kept him out of Rovers' last three Premiership games.