JUBILANT midfielder David Dunn today spoke of his delight at being called up for England -- and then thanked his granddad for making his dream possible.

After months of speculation, Dunn finally got the call yesterday after Newcastle's Kieron Dyer pulled out of Saturday's friendly with Portugal through injury.

And his chances of winning his first ever senior international cap received a further boost last night when fellow midfielder David Beckham was also forced to withdrawn after limping out of Manchester United's win over Middlesbrough.

Now the 22-year-old is hoping for the chance to impress manager Sven Goran Eriksson at Villa Park.

And, if he gets the opportunity to pull on the famous three lions, then it will fulfil a dream for both him and his granddad, David senior -- the man responsible for helping him get to where he is today.

"He was over the moon when I told him yesterday and I don't think you can keep the smile off his face," said Dunn.

"He's the reason why I'm here because he's stood by me and coached me all these years.

"So this is his dream as well as mine and I want to do well for him as well as myself."

Dunn was on his way to London, where he was due to attend tonight's GQ awards with his girlfriend Jakki Degg, when he suddenly received a call off Rovers' assistant boss Tony Parkes who informed him of the news.

So he promptly turned his car around and headed straight back to Blackburn to pack his bags before linking up with the rest of the England squad in the Midlands today.

"I never anticipated it was going to happen quite so quickly," said Dunn, who was placed on stand-by for the World Cup in the summer.

"Tony Parkes phoned me yesterday as I was on my way down to London and I couldn't believe it. I nearly crashed the car.

"Since then my phone has never stopped ringing with people congratulating me and wishing me good luck.

"I think virtually everyone I know must have tried to call me in the last 24 hours.

"So now I just want to make sure I don't let everyone down."

With England set to kick-off their Euro 2004 qualifying campaign in Slovakia next month, Saturday's game represents Eriksson's last chance to assess all his available options.

But Dunn insists he is not intimidated at the thought of making the step up if he is given the opportunity to stake a late claim for a place.

"I know there's a lot of good players in the squad but if I get the chance to win my first cap then hopefully I can seize the opportunity to make an impression.

"I feel fitter than I have done in a long time and I've always been confident in my own ability anyway.

"However, you never actually know whether or not you can cut it at that level until you get the chance to prove it.

"Obviously, I would love to play against Portugal -- who wouldn't?

"But I realise that I'm still a young lad and, whatever happens, this will still be a great experience for me.

"Just mixing with the England regulars and being involved in the full international set-up will be brilliant.

"So I'm really looking forward to the next few days."