THERE won't be any Oscars handed out for Ewood performances tomorrow.

But, according to Chorley-based David Unsworth, central defenders may well be susceptible to a few grey hairs.

For tomorrow's Premiership showdown between Blackburn Rovers and Everton promises a special sneak preview of one of the most appetising blood and thunder aspects of Euro 96.

Groin strains permitting, Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson, rather than John Wayne and James Stewart, will star in their own unique version of "The Shootist".

And Goodison central defender Unsworth readily admits his admiration for both star strikers.

He's a particular fan of Shearer, revealing that he voted for the Rovers and England man, in the annual Professional Footballers' Association poll for the prestigious player of the year award.

As for his Everton team-mate Ferguson, England international Unsworth reckons the Tartan Terror is capable of rampaging through the cream of Europe's defensive ranks this summer. On song and unleashed, Ferguson is as welcome in the opposing penalty area as having Attila the Hun move in next door, despite the persistent groin injury problems that have affected the multi-million pound star's training.

The Scottish giant was not in the running for the PFA awards, as he was otherwise occupied for a substantial part of the first half of the season.

But Unsworth has no doubts about his qualities.

"One striker who didn't get a mention (in the PFA selections) but who, I am sure, will take Europe by storm this summer is our own Duncan Ferguson," said Unsworth.

"Once he shakes off the groin strain that has been niggling him, and he has four weeks from the end of the season to the start of Euro 96, he will be Scotland's key player.

"In training you can see what he is capable of.

"I haven't seen any defender mark him out of a game and if anyone is going to keep him quiet, he knows he is first of all going to have the mother of all battles." Everton have been allowing Ferguson to rest between games to cope with the strain.

But it doesn't seem to have affected his form in recent weeks and he has picked up three goals in their last five matches.

Unsworth himself was only on the substitutes' bench last weekend but could get a call, after Everton let in four goals against Wimbledon.

No doubt he would relish the challenge posed by the presence of Shearer, providing the Ewood star has also recovered sufficiently from his niggling groin injury.

"I was a little surprised to see Les Ferdinand was voted player of the year," said Unsworth.

"Sure, Les has enjoyed an excellent season but Alan Shearer has scored even more goals, playing in a less successful side.

"For me, Alan Shearer is the player of the year by a mile and should have got the award."

Everton expect to have their "lucky mascot" Joe Parkinson back for tomorrow's Ewood clash.

The midfielder has completed a suspension. Interestingly, Everton have failed to win any of 12 games that Parkinson has missed this season!

So he will be a welcome addition to their squad which is also set to include Craig Short, a player who turned down the chance to join Rovers when he was with Notts County.

Everton seem likely to choose from: Southall, Hottiger, Watson, Short, Hinchcliffe, Kanchelskis, Horne, Ebbrell, Limpar, Ferguson, Stuart, Unsworth, Amokachi, Rideout, Parkinson

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