DAMIEN Duff today revealed he is hungry for East Lancashire derby success as Rovers get in shape for a final assault at promotion.

The 22-year-old wing-man's return to form with Rovers has won him a first start in nearly two years for the Republic of Ireland against Andorra tonight.

But the icing on the cake would be a derby win over arch-rivals Burnley on Sunday.

And Duff is in the mood to inspire his side to a famous victory.

"Graeme Souness coming in at Blackburn has got the best out of me again," said Duff.

"I'm enjoying playing and that wasn't the case as the club slipped out of the Premiership. Nobody could enjoy that.

"It is the only place to be. The First Division is a hard league. We don't want to hang around too much longer there and we've got a good chance of promotion this season -- hopefully, starting with a win on Sunday."

It's taken Duff a while to recapture the stunning form he showed last season.

But since tough taskmaster Graeme Souness took charge at Ewood a year ago, the speedy wide-man has lost over a stone in weight.

And now he is starting to feel the benefit of his new, trim figure.

"I've always been a big eater and found it difficult not to pile on the weight. I have taken a slagging from the rest of the lads," said Duff.

"But I've lost about a stone this season and I know I've improved my game."

That return to form has certainly not gone unrecognised by Republic boss Mick McCarthy who has handed him his first international start in nearly two years against Group Two makeweights Andorra.

Duff is one of only two changes made by McCarthy after Saturday's 4-0 win in Cyprus maintained the Republic's unbeaten record in the section.

He replaces Rovers team-mate Jason McAteer on the right of midfield and he is keen to seize his chance with both hands.

"It's just great to be involved. I've had a tough couple of years after Blackburn's relegation from the Premiership," said Duff.

"I've qualms about Kevin Kilbane overtaking me as the number one choice on the left.

"He's been brilliant but I believe I'm a much stronger player now than I've been for a while. "I'm more confident on and off the field."

Duff has struggled to live up to a daunting 'wonder-boy' tag attached to him as he rose through the Irish youth international ranks, despite an outstanding individual performance against Yugoslavia in war-torn Belgrade in February 1999 when Mick McCarthy's team failed narrowly to reach the Euro 2000 finals.

But the naturally shy 22-year-old was also hampered by a foot injury last season and needed an operation in the summer, forcing him to miss the Republic's successful three-match tour of America.

"I've had to get down to some hard work and I'm also more clever as a player, not as naive as I used to be," he said.

McAteer and Alan Kelly are also included in McCarthy's squad tonight.

However, Nathan Blake will not be involved in Wales's match with Ukraine after suffering another injury set-back.

The former Bolton striker has made just one substitute's appearance for Rovers since the 2-1 defeat at Fulham back in October due to Achilles and thigh injuries.

But the 29-year-old's hopes of a comeback have now had to be shelved for a further two weeks after he broke down again in training.

"Last week he was in training, he joined in a game and he was down to play tonight," said Souness.

"But then they finished the session with 10 minutes of shooting and from his last kick of the ball he suddenly felt the kicking muscle in his other leg.

"So he's going to be another two weeks which is a blow because I'd hoped to return from Dubai with everyone fit."

Rovers reserves are in action against Bradford City tonight at the Bradford and Bingley Stadium.

John Filan will make a welcome return after a cartilage problem.

Rovers squad is: Filan, Douglas, Murray, Dunning, Broomes, Taylor (Martin), McNamee, O'Brien, Foster, Richards, Hardy, Taylor (Michael), Hind, Doyle, Chamberlain, Woodhead.