GRAEME Souness today launched a blistering attack on the FA after David Dunn was forced to report for England Under 21 duty yesterday despite suffering from a toe injury.
Dunn missed Rovers' 1-1 draw with Wimbledon on Saturday after he was advised by the club's medical staff to rest following X-rays on the injury last Friday.
However, under FA Rules, the 21-year-old midfielder was still required to meet up with the rest of Howard Wilkinson's squad yesterday as they prepare for Friday night's qualifier with Finland at Barnsley's Oakwell Stadium. "I'm very angry about it," said Souness. "What are they trying to say, we didn't pick him on Saturday but he was still fit to play?' said Souness.
"I can understand why they brought the rule in for players who maybe go down injured on a Saturday night at 5 o'clock.
"But we are talking about a player who missed a game for us at the weekend so don't they believe our doctor or something?
"What business in the world operates like that?
"Imagine having a factory full of expensive machinery and some outfit comes along and says we want to borrow one of those expensive machines and return it damaged, but that's down to you."
Souness's frustration at Dunn's call-up capped a disappointing weekend after Rovers lost ground on second-placed Bolton following Saturday's result.
"For those people who maybe thought we'd done the hard part by going to Bolton and Birmingham and winning, this is perhaps a timely reminder that the hard work is still in front of us," said Souness.
"We looked a shadow of ourselves on Saturday but I think there was a legitimate reason for that.
"Wednesday's match against Birmingham was a demanding game for us -- both physically and mentally -- and I think it took a lot out of us.
"So I think we have to be happy with a point in the end."
Matt Jansen pulled a point out of the fire with his 16th goal of the season to cancel out Jason Euell's opener.
But the England Under 21 international was left to rue an earlier effort which came back off the bar.
"I would have preferred the first one to have gone in rather than hitting the crossbar," said Jansen.
"But, as for the goal itself, you've got to watch them all the way because I missed one of those earlier in the season against Crewe and it was on my right foot this time. Thankfully for me, though, it went in.
"But the lads are a little disappointed we didn't get a win, especially with Birmingham losing and Bolton winning."
Meanwhile, Welsh boss Mark Hughes has hinted Nathan Blake could feature in Wales' World Cup qualifier against Ukraine next week provided he comes through a reserve outing with Rovers this week. "Nathan is there or thereabouts but he needs a game, really," said Hughes.
Rovers' Academy Under 19s drew 1-1 with Wolves at the weekend but the Under 17s went down 1-0 at the hands of Middlesbrough.
"So, hopefully, he might get a run out with the reserves this week.
"Then, if everything goes well, he might be involved for the Ukraine game.
"But he won't be involved against Armenia because it's a week too soon."
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