Ewood Beat

ROVERS' Academy chief Bobby Downes believes Martin Taylor can go on to win full England honours one day after the towering centre-back has made giant strides over the last six months.

Taylor is already firmly established at England junior level after breaking into the England Under 21 set-up at the back end of last season on the back of some impressive performances for Rovers in the First Division.

And, now he is finding his feet in the Premiership, Downes is tipping another of his star pupils for a bright international future as long as he keeps developing at his present rate.

"I know Tiny has impressed David Platt, the England Under 21 coach, very much," said Downes.

"That doesn't surprise me at all because Martin was probably one of the best young centre backs in Division One last season.

"He has made big strides again since then though. He's a superb talent, a Rolls Royce defender.

"In my book, he's a real thoroughbred and a modern day defender.

"He has impressed some good judges in the game and he can go on to achieve whatever he likes if he continues to progress.

"Graeme Souness has put real faith in Martin and that's just what he needed to assist his development.

"He has tremendous potential and I'm sure he will get a full England opportunity in the future."

Sven Goran Eriksson's assistant, Tord Grip, is already well briefed as to Taylor's capabilities after watching the 21-year-old impress against Sunderland last week.

And Rovers boss Graeme Souness clearly has high hopes for his Geordie giant after he has underlined his growing potential with a string of eye-catching performances in a variety of positions over the last few weeks.

"We have high hopes for Tiny -- we believe he has a big future in the game," said Souness.

"He's a nice lad with a terrific attitude but I don't like the term gentle giant because that would suggest he's not aggressive enough which is not the case.

"He's a very nice human being and a pleasure to work with.

"He has also got feet like a creative midfield player and has real athleticism for a man of his height.

"If he avoids injury and keeps learning then he'll be a real top player."

Kenna will find a club -- Souness

EWOOD chief Graeme Souness believes it's only a matter of time before Jeff Kenna gets fixed up with a new club after handing the player a free transfer.

Kenna, one of the last links with the title-winning squad of 1995, admitted he was devastated when he was told the news last week.

But, though no-one has yet expressed a firm interest in the Republic of

Ireland international, Souness believes he should get something sorted out in the next couple of weeks.

"Jeff is a good professional and I'm sure he'll do someone a decent job.

"But with the players we've got here his chances were going to be limited so we felt it was right to let him go for nothing."

A series of injury problems have seriously restricted Kenna's chances over the last two seasons.

But the subsequent arrivals of John Curtis, Stig Bjornebye and now Lucas

Neill have seen him slip further down the pecking order, consigning him to the reserves.

First Division Stockport are among those thought to be weighing up a

possible move for the player who joined Rovers in 1995 from Southampton.

Tugay quids in

ROVERS new-boy Tugay is certainly no shrinking violet when it comes to letting people know about his considerable ability as Lucas Neill find out to his cost this week.

The fun-loving Turk tried to distract his new room-mate in the thick of an interview yesterday by waving a twenty quid note at the Aussie through the window of Rovers' Brockhall training base.

But on closer inspection it wasn't just any old note, it was a fake twenty issued by 'The Royal Bank of Ibrox' bearing a picture of Tugay himself in place of the Queen!

I hope he doesn't try to spend that in a shop owned by Celtic supporters.

Support England

DON'T forget young Rovers fans can watch England for a quid when David Platt's Under 21's come to Ewood next month for a crucial qualifier against Greece.

Rovers starlets Martin Taylor and David Dunn could be in Platt's squad for the first ever Under 21 fixture to be played on Ewood's hallowed turf.

And Rovers, in conjunction with the FA, are doing everything possible to generate a bumper crowd with tickets priced at £10 for adults and just £1 for concessions. Phone the ticket hot-line now on 01254 671666 to reserve your seat for what

is sure to be a memorable night.

TICKETS for Rovers' game at Aston Villa on Sunday September 30 will go on

open sale as from this Monday. Prices range from £20 for adults to £10 for juniors and senior citizens and

they can be purchased in the usual way.

ROVERS reserves are next in action at home to Aston Villa on Tuesday

September 25 (kick off 7pm).