FORMER England boss Terry Venables has tipped Rovers duo David Dunn and Matt Jansen for big futures as Sven Goran Eriksson prepares to unveil his first international squad tomorrow.

As English football prepares for a new dawn, the young Rovers pair look certain to be named in the England Under 21 squad ahead of next week's friendly with Spain.

But some experts, like the Daily Telegraph's Henry Winter, have even touted their names as possible outsiders for Eriksson's full squad after firmly establishing themselves as two of the hottest talents outside the Premiership.

Venables is the latest leading figure to join their growing fan club and the Middlesbrough coach is in no doubt the Ewood duo possess star quality.

However, the colourful cockney is not ready to champion their England cause just yet.

"They're both very talented players, there's no doubt about that, and they look to have bright futures in the game," said Venables.

"But I don't think they're the only two because Blackburn have got some very talented players.

"As for what the future holds, I can't really say.

"I've done it once but now it's up to Sven so you'd better ask him."

Venables took the chance to see Dunn and Jansen at close quarters last weekend as he took in Rovers' FA Cup clash with Bolton at the Reebok.

And, as the two old Lancashire rivals prepare to square up again at the same venue in the League tomorrow, the former Tottenham chief admits it's a game which is simply too tight to call.

"I wouldn't like to have to pick between either of them," said Venables, who once signed Bolton's Gudni Bergsson for Spurs.

"As an unbiased watcher it was an enjoyable contest last week. It's just a shame that Blackburn went down to 10 men so quickly because I never like to see that happen.

"I prefer both sides to keep their full quota for the full 90 minutes.

"But, nevertheless, I thought Blackburn gave a good account of themselves once they went a man down.

"Then when Sam Allardyce actually pushed Kevin Nolan up to make four up front I thought Bolton gave Rovers some problems.

"But they're both clearly two good teams.

"And, obviously, because of the position they are in in the table, both want to concentrate on the League rather than the Cup.

"However, once the Cup was here they both looked like sides who were relishing getting into the next round."

That will pale into insignificance tomorrow when the carrot of a Premiership return is put on the line. aneild@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk BIG FUTURE: Matt Jansen has impressed former England boss Terry Venables