ROVERS winger Damien Duff has set his sights on a dream double as he prepares to rub shoulders with the game's elite.

Duff is gearing up for another crack at the Premiership after helping Blackburn to promotion last season.

And the inspirational wideman is also a key member of the Republic of Ireland side which is closing in on qualification for the World Cup finals in Japan and Korea next summer.

Duff faces massive games in both competitions within the opening month of the season and has the scent of success for both club and country in his nostrils.

He said: "We are playing Croatia in a friendly first but then Holland on September 1 is the big one and everyone is looking forward to it.

"To qualify for the World Cup is every player's dream. It could be a big season for us and, hopefully, I can do it with Blackburn as well."

Victory over the Dutch at Lansdowne Road would make the Irish favourites to top their qualifying group.

And Duff believes Rovers also have much to look forward as they bid to re-establish themselves among the Premiership heavyweights.

He added: "I think we should do well. The gaffer came in last season and in his first full season brought us back up, and I don't see why we can't do well again.

"We'll have to find our feet but Ipswich came up through the play-offs and did really well, and I think we can.

"We have got a lot of good players at the club and a great manager and it's all there for us."

Twenty-two-year-old Duff first burst onto the scene in the Premiership with Rovers four seasons ago.

He made 26 appearances as Roy Hodgson guided Blackburn into Europe and was a regular again the following year when the club was relegated under Brian Kidd.

And with hamstring problems behind him, the Irishman is one of a clutch of young players at Ewood Park, along with the likes of David Dunn, Matt Jansen and Alan Mahon, who are desperate to announce their arrival back in the big-time.

He said: "I can't wait to get started and I'm sure that's the same for all the lads. I had two or three seasons in the Premiership a couple of years ago and then we went down to the First Division. That's hard to get out of but the Premiership is the place to be and I can't wait to get back onto the big stage.

"People say it's the best league in the world and it has obviously got world-class players. I can't wait to play Manchester United and it does bring it all home to you."

"Everyone knows the First Division isn't the place to be and I was devastated when we went down. We struggled to get back but we're there now and we want to stay."

Duff will report back for pre-season training with the rest of Graeme Souness's squad next week when fresh transfer activity may have kicked in at Ewood.

Turkish international Tugay remains the top incoming target, while Coventry City, as reported in later editions of yesterday's Lancashire Evening Telegraph, have entered the race to sign striker Nathan Blake.

Meanwhile, former Rovers number two Brian McClair has returned to Manchester United as reserve team manager.