ASHLEY Ward knows all about beating Sunderland - but the Blackburn Rovers striker could be forgiven for having mixed feelings about the First Division leaders as he went into today's big FA Cup clash at Ewood.

For the memories of a dream which turned into a personal nightmare for him at the Stadium of Light in November are still fresh in the mind.

He scored the opening goal to set Barnsley on the way to becoming the only side to win at Sunderland this season but also missed a penalty and was sent off, all inside a matter of minutes!

"Oh no! You're not going to ask me about that are you?" laughed the £4.5 million man.

"Actually, I was lucky. I got away with it really, because even though I got sent off we still won.

"I was sent off for retaliation when Darren Williams committed a bad two-footed tackle on me after the whistle had gone."

Red wasn't the only colour to dominate that day, as Ward recalled.

"That was also the first time I have missed a penalty and I'm blaming it on the new yellow balls they use in the Football League," he said.

"It was the first game we had played with one of them, I aimed for the top corner . . . but missed."

The striker, who was hoping for a 'normal' home game after his Ewood debut when Rovers were reduced to 10 men early on against Leeds, can smile about events at Sunderland now.

But it was only the rare defeat for Peter Reid's side which spared his blushes at the time.

"They are a good side," he said. "Results show that they have a very stable team and they have had a fantastic run which can only have left them full of confidence. But the main thing for us was that we were drawn at home." Meanwhile, Rovers' most recent capture Matt Jansen was ineligible for today's game but manager Brian Kidd is delighted to have him at Ewood even though he did not expect to be in with a chance of getting him until summer.

Crystal Palace's financial problems changed the situation and Kidd said: "We talked it through and fair do's to Mr Walker, he went for it again.

"Another player of Matt's talent might not have been available in summer but there was no indecision. When it came to it, the club were very decisive."

As we reported in last night's later editions, Derby boss Jim Smith has dismissed suggestions that he will be making a bid for Nathan Blake.

Teenager David Dunn is eager for more England glory but will settle for a major consolation prize at Ewood if, as expected, he is overlooked by Howard Wilkinson for the World under-20 Championships in Nigeria in April.

Wilkinson has said he will probably not take players who are currently involved with their club first teams - following protests.

Dunn, who has represented his country at both under-18 and under-21 levels, relishes playing for England but is equally anxious to cement his place in Brian Kidd's plans.

"Howard has said that about players involved with their first teams but whether I come into that I don't know," said the teenager, who looked set to start against Sunderland.

"Obviously everyone would like to go. It's the biggest competition for someone of my age at international level.

"But then again I don't want to miss out here. I have still got a lot of things to work on and I'm sure the new manager will help me. He has brought all those young lads through at Manchester United and they have gone on to play for England. Hopefully he can do that here."

On-loan midfielder Dario Marcolin has returned to Italy temporarily to be with his wife, who is due to give birth.

Several clubs are still showing interest in Ewood defender Graham Coughlan, including Third Division promotion chasers Scunthorpe United.

Coughlan, who is available, is also being monitored by Rotherham and Wigan. North of the border, Hibernian could rival Airdrie if they decide to take their interest further.

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