BLACKBURN midfielder David Dunn today tipped Arsenal ace Jermaine Pennant to become the new darling of English football ahead of tonight's vital Under 21 qualifier in Athens.

Dunn watched Pennant rip Rovers' to shreds in the first leg of their FA Youth Cup final with the Gunners at Highbury three weeks ago.

And the 21-year-old midfielder remains convinced the quicksilver striker is destined for greatness on the international stage -- provided he keeps his feet on the ground.

"You can see from training that Jermaine is a good player with great ability and he looks like he's got an exciting future ahead of him," said Dunn.

"I've not seen too much of him in competitive action but he certainly looks like one to watch because he's one of the best players I've seen at this level.

"So, providing he keeps his head, he could go on to make a decent career for himself."

Pennant was one of a trio of players who were all moved up from the Under-18 side to the Under-21s for the recent friendly against Mexico at Leicester's Filbert Street.

West Ham's Jermain Defoe and Coventry's Jay Bothroyd both scored that night and Pennant was voted man-of-the-match after sparkling performance as a second half sub.

And, while not all of them will start tonight, especially with the more high-profile figures of Joe Cole and Michael Carrick back in the Under-21 side for added experience, they are hoping to continue making an impression.

Pennant declared: "We've got good Under-17, Under-18 and Under-21 teams.

"There are a bunch of good young players coming through and there are already players in the senior team who are 19, 20 and 21.

"The 2006 World Cup is going to be a good one for England."

Pennant, who learned from watching Marc Overmars in training at Arsenal, added: "I have to keep patient, play well and hopefully my opportunity will come, like it has done for Ashley Cole.

"Now look where he is. In the first team regularly and in the England team. I'm good friends with him and it's a boost to see him do it.

"He says to me 'carry on playing well and you will do it as well'."

Tonight's game is crucial to England's hopes of qualification with Greece and Germany currently a point clear at the top of the group.

But Howard Wilkinson's men have a game in hand and Ewood ace Dunn knows all about the importance of picking up a vital victory.

"It's a massive game for us because they are going well at the top of the group," said Dunn.

"But, if we just concentrate on what we're going to do, then we should be good enough to come away with a result."

Dunn's Ewood team-mate Martin Taylor is again likely to be among the England substitutes.

West Ham keeper Stephen Bywater, formerly of Third Division Rochdale, has, meanwhile, been called into the side for tonight's game after Coventry's Chris Kirkland suffered a hairline fracture of a finger in training yesterday.

The Spotland side will be pleased as they were set to receive some money when the 18-year-old makes his first international start.

But while Arsenal keeper Stuart Naylor flew out to sit on the bench, Ipswich defender Titus Bramble was still unable to join up with the squad after a family bereavement.

Bywater's appearance means at least three West Ham players will start tonight, while the fourth, Defoe, is aiming to follow the example of 19-year-olds Joe Cole and Carrick.