Matt Jansen scored goal number 16 of an impressive 2001/02 season – but missed out on selection for England’s World Cup squad heading to the finals in Japan and South Korea.

The 24-year-old scored in-front of the watching Sven-Goran Eriksson during Rovers’ 4-3 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield, but didn’t make the final cut of 23.

Speculation had been rife that uncapped Jansen could be the wildcard choice in Eriksson’s squad, but in the end the final spot went to defender Martin Keown.

Jansen, who won six caps at Under-21 level, received his first call-up to the full squad ahead of the friendly against Paraguay at Anfield in April, but missed out on a possible debut with a severe stomach bug.

The striker would now undergo a hernia operation, rather than travel with his country on national team duty, and vowed to come back stronger.

He said: "Obviously I am very disappointed not to be going, especially given the recent speculation that I was going to be involved.

"However, at the moment I am just concerned about going out and playing well for Blackburn Rovers.

"I look at next season as a new opportunity and I hope it is not too long before I am back in the England squad.

"I was delighted to get the call-up for England (in April) but, when I had to pull out, I thought my chance of making the World Cup squad had gone.

"Then there were rumours that I might have made it after all but it wasn't to be.”

Chants of ‘Jansen for England’ rang out from the away end at Anfield as Jansen had one final change to impress the watching England boss.

But it was Danny Murphy, who would be named as standby for the squad, who pushed his claims first, putting the hosts ahead in the 23rd minute, only for Damien Duff to continue his impressive form with an equaliser five minutes later.

But the Reds were back in front before the half-time whistle arrived through Nicolas Anelka.

Rovers conjured up a second equaliser four minutes after the re-start, Andy Cole’s header finding a way over the line after squirming through the clutches of Jerzy Dudek.

The topsy-turvy nature of the game continued, Sami Hyypia glancing an inswinging free-kick out of the reach of Alan Kelly.

But Jansen’s moment arrived 10 minutes from time. Good work down the right from Keith Gillespie saw him square for the striker to calmly stroke the ball in to the corner with a first time finish.

That looked to have earned Rovers a point, but an established England striker had other ideas, Emile Heskey winning the game for Liverpool four minutes from time.

Meanwhile, Rovers were stepping up their plans for the 2002/03 season having enquired about the availability of Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke.

Souness revealed Rovers asked Sir Alex Ferguson to name his price for the Trinidad and Tobago international, but that wouldn’t involve any possibility of a swap deal involving Damien Duff.

One story in the national press this morning claimed Yorke could move to Ewood as part of a swap deal which would take Duff to Old Trafford with United also stumping up £6 million in cash.

But Souness has slammed those suggestions, insisting: "There's nothing in that.

"We've made an enquiry and asked for a price for Dwight Yorke and we've been told that price which is too much for us. But there has never been any mention of Damien Duff in that deal.”

Also on Rovers’ radar was Coventry City midfielder David Thompson, though cash-strapped Sky Blues’ valuation of £4.5m was out of reach.

On Souness’ wishlist was a central defender, having taken Andy Todd on trial, as well as a right-sided midfielder and striker.

"Ideally, I want to bring in four new players but that depends entirely on how much money we have available," said Souness.

"I want to bring in players who have proved they can play in the Premier League.

"I'm not against foreigners and if they are foreigners who have played in this league then great.

"But the last resort would be to bring in players from abroad who have no experience of playing in this league.

"We have to be realistic and realise that we are not an Arsenal or a Manchester United so I want to bring in people who are the correct players for this club.

"We're a team in Lancashire, we're not glamourous like a Chelsea or Manchester United, so we have to bring in players who we feel can work in this environment.”