BLACKBURN Rovers' young guns face an AXA FA Youth Cup showdown with the modern day 'SAS' as they prepare to meet Tottenham Hotspur in the last eight at White Hart Lane tonight.

During the 1990s, former Ewood favourites Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton formed a deadly strike-partnership which became known as the SAS as Rovers stormed to the Premier League title.

And now Sutton's younger brother John has struck up a similar lethal alliance with fellow Tottenham frontman Jamie Slabber at the Lane.

The Spurs strike-duo represent the biggest threat to Rovers' hopes of booking a second successive semi-final place so Academy boss Bobby Downes will put his players on red alert as they go in search of further cup glory.

"Their two lads up front are very handy and they could pose us a few problems tonight if we are not on our game," said Downes.

"John Sutton reminds me very much of Chris in terms of the way he runs and his general approach to the game.

"He might not be the quickest but he's a similar type of physical centre forward who scored 27 goals for them last season.

"So he and the boy Slabber are going to be a handful."

Rovers go into the tie in good heart following hot on the heels of their 2-0 victory over current holders Arsenal in the last round.

But Downes is anticipating an equally stiff test again in the capital against a Spurs side with designs on lifting the coveted trophy.

"We know this is going to be a tough game because Spurs are a good side," said Downes, who helped lead Rovers to the final last season.

"Their coaches think this is the best team they've had for years and they certainly looked impressive when I saw them recently.

"They are a big, strong physical side who are very well organised and like to play 4-4-2.

"And when they beat Leeds 1-0 at Elland Road in the last round they looked far more comfortable than the scoreline suggests.

"So, although they are possibly not quite as technical as Arsenal were, they will probably be stronger.

"But we are certainly not frightened of the challenge they pose because we have no reason to fear anyone after what we did in the last round."

Rovers have impressed on their way to the quarter finals having already disposed of Chelsea as well as Arsenal en route.

But Spurs, too, have also blazed a trail into the last eight having defeated Walsall, Bolton and Leeds on their travels.

So it could all come down to who handles their nerves better on the night as they fight for the right to face the winners of Everton versus Nottingham Forest in the semis.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's all on the night because you don't know how kids are going to perform," said Downes.

"Barnsley went to Old Trafford and beat Manchester United in the last round so anything is possible.

"All you can do is try and approach the game as professionally as possible."

Team boss Rob Kelly will be boosted by the return to action of Ciaran Donnelly after the England midfielder missed the Arsenal game through suspension.

But young Irish centre-back John Fitzgerald has not travelled south with the squad after falling victim to a bout of 'flu.

Rovers' squad is: Renton, Cole, Davey, Martin, McEveley, Watt, Nelson, Donnelly, Morgan, Walters, Bell, Black, Bruce, Harkin, Cummings.