ROVERS defender Craig Short believes Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke's performance against Wigan was just a taster for what lies in store for Sunday's showdown with the strikers' old club, Manchester United.

Cole struck twice to secure a tie with United in the Worthington Cup semi-final, while he and Yorke looked sparky throughout the 2-0 win at the JJB Stadium.

And the 34-year-old believes keeping a clean sheet, albeit against Second Division opposition, sets Rovers up well for their match with Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

"It was important to keep a clean sheet against Wigan because we've had a bit of criticism for conceding too many goals, daft goals. On Saturday at Everton they were daft goals," Short said.

"But we've got a keen side, a young side. We've had a change of personnel at times at the back but once we get it settled I think we'll be okay.

"We're an attacking side and we play attacking football, we're going to concede goals."

But as long as Cole shows the form he displayed at the JJB Stadium, Short knows Rovers would be more than a match for any side in the Premiership.

"Andy Cole's not had the most prolific of seasons but he took his goals very well on Tuesday night. It will be interesting to see him and Dwight Yorke up against Manchester United," he said.

"They're a good partnership, they cause problems and it's nice to see them both fit."

Rovers main aim is to start the hectic Christmas period well and avoid letting the Worthington Cup become the distraction it did last season.

Short added: "We were disappointed with the result at Everton and after only managing a draw against Bolton we need something. We always seem to do better against the top sides but United are in a good run of form. We need to start well against them but we can match them.

"It's an important Christmas period for us like it was last year, with Liverpool away then West Ham at home as well. We struggled at Christmas last year. We had a decent position and we let ourselves go a bit, and we couldn't really recover until we won the Worthington Cup.

"But when you're doing well you always know there's a bad spell around the corner and when you're doing badly you always know there's a good patch around the corner.

"You can play on a Saturday and be full of beans but lose in midweek. I've known that throughout my career - don't get too carried away with a win and don't get too down when you lose.

"Just work hard and you'll get your rewards eventually."

Rovers captain Garry Flitcroft hopes they reap the benefits of their hard labour at Ewood Park on Sunday.

"It's a big game for us because we've got to concentrate on getting our league form right," he said.

"Even though our cup win was against Second Division opposition, wins breed confidence.

"Everyone was buzzing after the game on Tuesday because we knew that Wigan would make it tough for us, so the win sets us up nicely to take on Manchester United.

"We'll have to keep thoughts of the cup out of our minds, concentrate on playing well and hopefully get a good result."

And while some may fear the prospect of midfield tussles with the best in the business, as far as the midfielder is concerned, the higher profile the opponents are, the better.

"I enjoy playing in the big games - the bigger the better," he said. "I've been in the game too long to be troubled with nerves."