DAVID DUNN'S World Cup dreams were today in jeopardy after the England wannabe limped out of Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Manchester United with a worrying injury.

The 22-year-old midfield star was due to have a scan on the problem this morning amid fears he may have torn his calf muscle.

And if his worst fears are confirmed then the Great Harwood-born youngster is almost certainly out of contention for England's friendly with Holland next month.

"I'm absolutely gutted about the timing of this, especially with the semi-final coming up and our game against Arsenal next week," said Dunn.

"I don't know the exact extent of the damage as yet until I have a scan today when the doc and Dave Fevre should be able to tell me more.

"But my calf is really sore at the minute and I certainly can't run on it."

Dunn suddenly pulled up with the problem midway through the second half at Old Trafford after producing arguably his best performance of the season so far.

And he's now facing up to the possibility of being ruled out of action for a couple of weeks.

"I don't know how I did it," said Dunn.

"I don't think it happened as a result of a tackle or anything like that.

"But it's just one of those things and I've got to get on with it.

"I just hope it doesn't turn out to be as bad as I first thought."

After a string of impressive performances earlier in the season, England boss Sven Goran Eriksson had hinted that Dunn was among a number of players he was hoping to cast his eye over during two friendlies against Holland and Italy in the build-up to the World Cup.

But time could now be running out for the Rovers starlet with the first of those games just three weeks away.

Meanwhile, Ewood chief Graeme Souness was delighted with the way his side performed against United even though they crashed to another damaging defeat.

"I thought we played well but once again we haven't got anything to show for our efforts and that's been the story of our season," said Souness.

"Not one of my players had a bad game and on another day we would have got something out of the game.

"I thought Lucas Neill was outstanding, especially when you consider the quality he was in against in Solksjaer and then Giggs.

"And that was only the second time the two central defenders have played 90 minutes together.

"Nisa's new to this football and, because we've had Craig Short and Henning Berg playing there, he's been limited to substitute appearances.

"But I thought he was outstanding, and if Tiny can grasp the aggressive part of the game, then he'll go on to play for England.

"The reason I left Henning out was when we played Barnsley in the FA Cup our two most experienced centre backs were given a rough time by Dyer and Sheron.

"But in the second game our two younger lads didn't give them a sniff so I thought I'd keep them together.

"Craig Short was suspended anyway and Henning only had one day's training last week so I thought 'why not?' and they came up with the correct answer when the questions were asked."

Souness was desperately disappointed, however, with referee Uriah Rennie's decision to award United a first half penalty following Brad Friedel's challenge on Laurent Blanc.

"That was never a penalty. Blanc took a dive," blasted Souness.

Despite running them close, Souness believes United now have the necessary momentum to retain their Premiership crown after opening up a two-point lead at the top.

"I don't think you can rule out Leeds, Arsenal and Liverpool with still half a season to go but the one thing this team has which the others don't is belief.

"Even when they were having their rocky period the belief and knowledge was there that 'we are the best and if we keep doing the things we've been doing for the last five or six years then we are going to win it again.'

"And that's what got them through that period and makes them such top players.

"They're a top team. When you think you're bossing the game against them, they suddenly string together three passes and are having a shot at your goal.

"They can hurt you from so many different areas.

"You might stop their strikers but then they'll hit you from wide right or down the middle or their centre back will get you a goal.

"And that's what top teams do." WORLD

CUP

AGONY Rovers ace to miss warm-up MATCH REPORT AND PICTURES: PAGES 38&39