DAMIEN Duff has handed Blackburn Rovers boss Roy Hodgson a king-sized Christmas selection headache with his dynamic display against West Ham.

Leading goalscorer Chris Sutton, available again after a one-match ban, looks certain to return and link up with Kevin Gallacher against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Boxing Day.

And, after Duff's latest performance - deputising for Sutton as a stand-in striker - Hodgson will find it difficult to leave the 18-year-old sensation out of the side.

So it could be left winger Jason Wilcox who misses out, even though there have been no qualms about the England international's recent performances.

Wilcox has also scored in two of the last three matches but such is the competition for places in the midfield quartet that no-one can be guaranteed a spot.

Hodgson has stressed several times that he needs to "rotate" his eight midield players, because he feels he needs to try to keep them all happy at the club as Rovers push for honours.

The problems posed by such a situation, however, were highlighted by Lars Bohinen's request for a transfer in an effort to enhance his chances of winning a place in Norway's World Cup squad.

That was turned down and Hodgson is trying to keep everyone involved, as he showed with Saturday's substitutions.

But, if Duff continues to turn in performances like last Saturday's, the manager is going to find it increasingly difficult to leave him out of the side and that can only make things harder for the more senior players.

They do appreciate, however, that he has given them a new dimension. And his all-round ability was summed up by his contribution in Saturday's free role along side Gallacher, as he caused the West Ham defence all sorts of trouble.

While the emergence of the young Irishman has stepped up competition for places, the club's more experienced players have been delighted to see his rapid progress.

He only made his debut in the final game of last season against Leicester - Tony Parkes handing him his chance once the club were safe from relegation - but has gone on to make a major impact in his four Premiership starts this season.

And he has already contributed three goals.

Rovers skipper Tim Sherwood believes Duff is the kind of player who would be welcome in any squad, even that of champions Manchester United.

Sherwood said: "Duff was brilliant against West Ham. He gives us a different type of game to what 'Sutty' gives us but he was equally effective.

"He's class and I bet even Manchester United wish they had him in their squad."

Team-mate Stuart Ripley agreed: "Damien was exceptional. He was made for that role. He's only 18 and I don't think even he knows how good he is."

Wednesday, who were given a verbal lashing by manager Ron Atkinson for their poor performance against Chelsea on Saturday, will be able to welcome back Peter Atherton.

Gary Hamilton scored a hat-trick for the B team as they defeated Liverpool 4-1. Paddy Connolly got the other.

The A team made it a 'double' with a 3-1 victory over Stoke. Craig Woodfield, Graham Cassin and Ciaran Ryan were the goalscorers.

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