ROVERS boss Graeme Souness thinks if Martin Taylor becomes a bully he can make it into the England squad.

'Tiny' is now commanding a regular place in the side following some great performances in the heart of defence.

And Ewood chief Souness thinks the 22-year-old can force his way into Sven-Goran Eriksson's plans - provided he stops being a gentle giant and toughens up more.

"For Tiny, being physical is an area where he is short," said the boss. "If he can grasp the physical side of the game that centre halves have to grasp, he will play for England. If he doesn't, then he won't.

"He does remind me of Alan Hansen on the ball and with his ability on the ball he is as good as any centre back playing today.

"What he is short of is making his physical presence known at the right time. He is 6ft 4 and with a body like he has, he should be a bully. I want him to be a bully.

"But you could beat him up and he would still say thank-you at the end of it He is a nice lad, too nice, and he is perfect son-in-law material. You would be delighted if your daughter brought him home!

"But I don't want a team of son-in-laws!"

Taylor has kept his place in the team alongside Nils-Eric Johansson for today's FA Cup fourth round clash at Millwall, keeping out the experienced Craig Short and Henning Berg.

"The way I operate, I think there is a really important incentive that if you get into the team, you play well then you will keep your place," said Souness.

"That is why Henning Berg and Craig Short didn't start against Millwall.

"Tiny and Nissa have both done really really well.

"They have got the shirts at the moment and that is how we try to operate."

"There will be times that I look to rest players for different reasons but I am not a fan of rotation.

"I think you have got to have the incentive that if you get into the team, you have got to grab your chance and if you do, you keep your place."

Meanwhile midfielder David Dunn will miss Wednesday's big match at Ewood Park against second-placed Arsenal with a calf strain - but he could be back for the trip to West Ham on February 2.

"He will miss the Arsenal game and the West Ham game could be too soon," said the boss. "He is only a young lad though and he is heeling quickly. We will have to see."

And winger Keith Gillespie could be back for the game against the Gunners. He has got a bug at the moment which he could shake off by then but he has recovered from the knock he picked up against Barnsley in the FA Cup third round replay.