BLACKBURN midfielder Neil Danns today admitted he is living a dream after being catapulted into the first team over the last seven days.

The 19-year-old midfielder was as shocked as anyone when manager Graeme Souness handed him his senior debut in last week's UEFA Cup first round first leg clash with CSKA Sofia.

Then to cap a magical few days he was given his first taste of Premiership action as a late substitute in Sunday's 1-0 success over Leeds United at Ewood.

But the level-headed scouser is certainly not getting carried away by his meteoric rise.

And if he needed reminding of just how difficult it is going to be to make the breakthrough on a permanent basis then it will come tonight when he returns to action with the reserves in their rescheduled game against Aston Villa at Morecambe's Christie Park.

"The last seven days have felt like a dream because it came totally out of the blue," said Danns.

"One day I was in the reserves on the Tuesday, then I suddenly got told I was playing in the UEFA Cup on the Thursday and I couldn't believe it.

"But I can't afford to start getting carried away and let it get go to my head.

"I've just got to keep working hard and try and prove to the manager that I'm worthy of a place in the first team squad because, at the end of the day, it's up to him whether I'm good enough or not."

Souness was impressed by the impact Danns made on his debut but he is also quick to stress that the hard work has only just begun for the former Academy starlet.

"Neil showed he's got a great attitude to the game and as long as he keeps his head down and works hard then he could have a bright future in the game," said Souness.

"But just how far he goes will depend on whether or not he continues to listen and learn over the next few years."

Meanwhile, German defender Sebastian Pelzer is expected to step up his recovery from a hamstring injury with an appearance in the reserves tonight.

Pelzer has been missing for a couple of weeks but reserve boss Alan Murray is hoping to include him in his plans for the game against Villa.

Fellow first team squad members Ciccio Grabbi, Craig Hignett, John Curtis and Andy Todd are also in line for some much-needed match action as Murray's side look to pick up their first points of the season after three straight defeats.

"I thought we performed really well against Middlesbrough last week without gaining any reward," said Murray.

"Mark Crossley made two or three saves early on to keep them in the game and then their superior quality came through in the second half.

"So, hopefully, we can build on that and get our first win tonight.

"We'll keep trying to push people through to the first team wherever we can.

"I thought Neil Danns took his opportunity quite well last week and we are now looking for people like Jonathan Douglas to do the same."