DEFENSIVE king-pin Craig Short today insisted Rovers have nothing to fear as United prepare to descend on Ewood.

The former Everton defender is in bullish mood despite the disappointment of Saturday's opening day defeat.

And he's backing his Ewood team-mates to bounce back with a morale-boosting performance against the likes of new striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and Juan Veron as Rovers go in search of their first points of the new season.

"I think it's a great thing to have Manchester United at home at this stage in the season," said Short.

"We've got to play them some time so why not now because we won't need a lift as it's only the second game of the season and we've only lost once.

"It's going to be a full house and this was the fixture every player in the club looked for when the fixtures came out.

"So we won't need firing up for this one, that's for sure."

With Rovers set to face both United and Tottenham at home in the space of four days, Short believes it's vital they get some points on the board early before the two week break for international matches.

But confidence remains sky-high at Ewood, despite Saturday's setback, as Rovers look to build on the achievements of last season.

"The danger after a result like that on Saturday is your confidence going," said Short.

"That's what the manager said to us afterwards 'you've got to keep positive because you played well.'

"And the lads came away from the game genuinely believing that."

"We sat off them a bit in the first half but that was the gameplan, like we did against Barca the week before.

"So we were feeling our way into it but then we realised in the second half 'blimey, let's go after them.'

"And when we did that we looked dangerous every time we went forward.

"Last year, we were on top and penning teams in but this year it's going to be different because teams will pen us in."

"Sometimes, though, that will suit us because we've got people like Jansen, Duff and Gillespie who all have pace so I think the boss will use different tactics for different games, whereas last year it was more 'we've got the players to overcome this so let's get out there and get on with it."

Meanwhile, Short today admitted it was a major blow to lose David Dunn for the opening six weeks of the season.

The England Under 21 international damaged medial knee ligaments following a challenge from Fabrizio Ravanelli and it could now be October before he's ready to return.

"It's a massive blow to lose Dunny because he's the type of player who can run games. He's got natural strength and ability and he was at the top of his game before he got injured.

"But we're lucky in the fact that we've got the likes of Tugay, Alan Mahon and Craig Hignett who can all fill in. I thought Higgy in particular did well against Derby."