NOBODY, not even Craig Bellamy in his current form, is in the same league as Wayne Rooney.

But that doesn't mean Bellamy won't have as much influence as his Manchester United counterpart when Blackburn take them on in the first leg of the semi-final tonight.

Rooney is one of those great players that, as a defender, you can't really do much about.

You just have to hope he has one of his quiet nights, when he doesn't get much service or things he tries don't come off.

But I reckon Blackburn have a similar asset in Bellamy, because there's not much defenders can do about him either.

If he gets it in and around the box he is so deadly because of his pace, he will hurt anyone.

Just look at his second goal against Queen's Park Rangers on Saturday. If he makes one of those runs that takes him away from defenders, it means he can relax with his finishing.

His speed takes him away and he then has the time to settle himself down and pick his finish.

That's why he's very, very dangerous.

So while I think Bellamy can have as much impact as Rooney, I wouldn't like to compare them as players.

It's difficult to compare Rooney to anybody because he is out of this world and I can't think of a better all round centre forward.

He's got pace, strength, ability and the full range of skills and techniques, as well as a great footballing mind and a great hunger.

People have a pop at his temperament but players like that need to be a bit on the edge to bring the best out of themselves.

In fact, Bellamy arrived at Ewood with a bit of a similar reputation, but I haven't seen too much of that from him.

He hasn't looked like he's been going to get into any trouble, he just looks like he wants to concentrate on playing at his best.

It's certainly vital for Rovers that he does tonight because with the way the whole team is playing in general it's a good chance to take a lead to Old Trafford for the second leg.

We're not looking at the Man United of five or six years ago when they were an awesome team so I think Rovers will go into this game feeling it's a good chance to reach the final.