ENGLAND boss Sven Goran Eriksson is ready to offer David Dunn the chance of a dream ticket to next summer's World Cup finals after he topped the bill in the Under 21s clash with Holland on Friday night.

The Rovers starlet looks certain to be selected for England's next friendly against the Dutch senior side in February as Eriksson takes the chance to assess all his available options.

And, if he seizes his chance to impress, he could yet provide the answer to England's problems down the left in time to book his seat on the plane to Japan.

"I've always said that, without making any commitments, we would probably look at one, two or three players in February from the Under-21 squad," revealed the Swede.

"And David Dunn might be one for February.

"I've seen him three times this season and twice he played outside left and did well.

"Maybe he's not a natural outside left but the goal he scored for the Under-21s was top class.

"I also saw him score twice for Blackburn at Highbury, which is not bad at all."

Of the current Under 21 squad, Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves have already been part of Eriksson's senior plans.

Defenders Ledley King, John Terry and Wayne Bridge could also have a chance of a senior call-up.

But Dunn's name is the one currently on everyone's lips, particularly after his stunning equaliser against the Dutch on Friday night, which leaves their play-off clash delicately poised ahead of tomorrow's second leg at Derby.

Should he get the nod ahead of next summer's finals, it would mirror the late charge made by his hero, Paul Gascoigne, who exploded onto the scene in similar fashion ahead of the 1990 World Cup.

Rovers boss Graeme Souness recently compared his 21-year-old midfield star to the Geordie genius. And his stunning goal in Utrecht inevitably prompted further comparisons to Gazza after he beat four men in a mesmerising run.

"It's great that the manager thinks like that and it's flattering of course, but I've just got to prove I can do it consistently over a number of games before I start getting carried away," said Dunn.

However, with only three friendlies left before Eriksson names his final squad, time is nevertheless running out for those on the fringes.

Kevin Phillips and Trevor Sinclair both failed to set the world alight when given their chance against Sweden on Saturday.

But Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy boosted his chances with an accomplished second half performance.

However, Eriksson admits he will increasingly look to bed down his intended World Cup starting line-up against Holland in February, Italy in March and South American opposition in April, rather than experimenting too much.