DAVID Bentley is ready to prove he's worthy of an England call-up by putting Frank Lampard and his Chelsea team-mates in the shade at Old Trafford tomorrow.

The former Arsenal star, who has been in outstanding form for Blackburn this season, has regularly been touted for a senior international call-up by his manager Mark Hughes.

So far, England boss Steve McClaren has decided to ignore Bentley's claims, despite the midfielder earning rave reviews for some dazzling performances for Blackburn and England's Under 21s.

However, the 22-year-old knows the clamour for his inclusion in the senior squad will become overwhelming if he can out-shine Lampard and Co as Rovers attempt to reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 1960.

Bentley, who is likely to be up against England defender Ashley Cole tomorrow, said: "Playing at Old Trafford in a semi-final is a great chance for me to show what I can do.

"Everyone knows I'm desperate to play for England so this will be a great occasion against one of the biggest teams in the land.

"There's a few England players in the Chelsea line-up, including the captain and Frank Lampard, but I'm not worried about that.

"Obviously, I know Ashley Cole from my days at Arsenal and I'm looking forward to the challenge of playing against him.

"I used to come up against him training and I rate him highly - he's sharp and always gives it his all.

"But I know that if I'm on the top of my game I can give him problems.

"I'm really pleased with the way my season has gone. I was ill for a few days last week so I probably shouldn't have played against Villa last weekend.

"But I'm over it now and I'm raring to go.""

Bentley was arguably Rovers' best player when the two sides last met in the Premiership at Stamford Bridge on January 31.

On that occasion, Chelsea eventually won 3-0, which was their third victory over Blackburn this season, but Bentley insists he would rather be facing the Blues than Arsenal or Manchester United tomorrow.

"Yes, we've lost three times to Chelsea this season - but we know what they're about, and we know they won't play us off the park," said the Blackburn midfielder.

"You always fear that you could get the runaround when you play against Arsenal or Man United, but that's not the case with Chelsea.

"And we showed against Arsenal over two games in the cup that they couldn't do that to us - so why would Chelsea?

"We've done well against Chelsea before - we beat them at Ewood last season to qualify for the UEFA Cup.

"There's no reason for us to go out there with any fear; we've shown over the last couple of seasons what a good side we are.

"We might just need a little bit of luck to go for us that will see us through to Wembley, but we feel we've got a great chance."

Aside from enhancing his international prospects, Bentley also has the prospect of a quick return to Wembley as extra motivation for beating Chelsea.

He has already played there once for England Under 21s in last month's friendly with Italy, when he earned the distinction of becoming the first Englishman to score at the venue, and he would dearly love to go back there again, this time with his Blackburn team-mates, for the first Cup final back at the new home of football.

"Playing at Wembley was an amazing experience and of course it was a proud moment when my shot hit the net," said Bentley.

"I've been telling all the boys at Blackburn that we have to get back there in May for the Cup final."