ENGLAND Under 21 skipper David Dunn is hoping to outshine two of his international team-mates in tonight's Worthington Cup clash with West Ham at Upton Park.

Rovers' midfield starlet is set for a battle with Hammers duo Michael Carrick and Joe Cole.

And Dunn believes he and his Rovers team-mates can bridge the quality gap between the First Division and the Premier League in tonight's third round tie.

"All the lads are desperate to show they can play in the Premier League," said Dunn.

"And I believe we can hold our own against anyone when we put our minds to it.

"Our main priority is, obviously, the league and we all want to get back up this season.

"But this is a chance to show we are heading in the right direction.

"And the lads are confident we can get something after the run of results we've had recently."

Dunn knows all about the precocious talents of Cole and Carrick after playing alongside the Hammers duo in the England Under 21 set-up.

And the 20-year-old Great Harwood youngster believes both could go on to form the spine of the England team for years to come.

"Joe Cole can go on to be whatever he wants in the game," said Dunn.

"Some of the tricks he does are unbelievable and if he continues to develop he could be bigger than Gazza.

"And, as for Michael, he reminds me of Steven Gerrard at Liverpool.

"He never gives the ball away and it's great to have someone like that in your side."

"So it promises to be an interesting battle."

Meanwhile, Rovers boss Graeme Souness has made no secret of the fact the Worthington Cup features low down on his list of priorities.

After four games in 11 days, he has taken the opportunity to rest key men like Henning Berg, Craig Short and Craig Hignett.

So Academy starlets Darren Dunning, Marc Richards and Jonathan Douglas could be in line for their senior Rovers debuts tonight.

"I think you can see by the squad that the league is still are number one priority," said Souness.

"We're leaving out Craig Short, Craig Hignett, Henning Berg and Stig Bjornebye.

"And we've introduced a couple of the younger players which gives us a chance to look at them.

"That said, we still have a duty to our supporters who will have paid good money to go down and watch us there.

"But I'd just ask them to be understanding because we've stated all along that our priority is to get out of this league. And we feel that, given some of our players are tired and carrying knocks, this is an ideal opportunity to rest them."

Nevertheless, Souness has great faith in Rovers youngsters and he singled out Darren Dunning for special praise.

"He's a feisty little character. He's only small in size, but what he lacks in height, he makes up for in courage and aggression on the pitch.

"And he's one that I enjoy working with because he's gives you 100 per cent every day in training."

Matt Jansen is still absent through injury while recent signing Mark Hughes is cup-tied.

Rovers will choose from: Filan, Curtis, Taylor, Ostenstad, Dailly, Kenna, McAteer, Carsley, Flitcroft, Johnson, Richards, O'Brien, Dunn, Dunning, Douglas, Kelly.

Hammers boss Harry Redknapp will make late checks on the fitness of Joe Cole and Nigel Winterburn after they limped out of Saturday's 1-0 win over Newcastle. Redknapp will choose from: Hislop, Pearce (I), Winterburn, Pearce (S), Ferdinand, Sinclair, Cole, Lampard, Di Canio, Kanoute, Carrick, Potts, Suker, Moncur, Charles, Bywater.

Rovers boss Graeme Souness, chief executive John Williams and club secretary Tom Finn will attend a hearing in London today to put forward the case for a work permit for keeper Brad Friedel.