David Dunn: Fine prospect (PhilCole/Allsport)

The Blackburn midfielder was drafted into Sven-Goran Eriksson's party for the friendly against Portugal at Villa Park on Saturday following the withdrawal of Newcastle's Kieron Dyer.

Former Under-21 captain Dunn was on stand-by for the World Cup squad over the summer and has impressed again at the start of the new season, scoring in Rovers' 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Ewood Park last Wednesday.

So Eriksson had no hesitation in turning to the 22-year-old when Dyer was forced out.

'David is a very good player and has lots of experience at Under-21 level, captaining the team,' said the Swede. 'I have watched him already this season for Blackburn and he was very close to being in the original squad.

'It will be a good opportunity to work with David and see what he can do.'

Rovers boss Graeme Souness, though, is in no doubt the young midfielder has the ability to become an England regular.

'He has got tremendous natural ability, he is an extremely strong boy and he knows where he wants to be,' Souness told Sky Sports News. 'He prefers to play in centre of midfield and he certainly thinks he is good enough to play at the highest level.

'England have some fantastic players, but in terms of raw ability he is up there with any of them you want to name. I know he is only young, but I believe he is good enough so let him get on with it and let's see what he can do.

'Like all boys that age he still doesn't fully understand what it is all about, but he wants to learn and as long as he keeps wanting to learn he will be a top player.

'But he is only 22 and someone of that age has got time on his side and he will learn the game and will become an England regular. This is an ideal opportunity for David to show what he is capable of. I think he is ready and I think he should be given a chance.'

Souness was not convinced that Dunn's performances for England's Under-21s would help him much in stepping up to the senior side. Instead he believes the player has had a greater learning curve experiencing the Premiership week-in, week-out.

'I think the Premier League is a far more demanding place to play football than Under-21 football,' claimed Souness. 'He has shown last year - and he has started this season on fire - that he can deal with the Premier League.'

Dunn's call-up see him become - in the squad at least - a direct replacement for Dyer, whose injury nightmare once again threatens to hamper his progress for England.

The Newcastle wide man failed to shine at the World Cup following a knee injury at the end of the season. And the recurrence of his shin splints problem could now also see him missing from the Newcastle side as they look to step up their season in the Champions League.

The concern over Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, meanwhile, seems to be receding after he linked up with the England party despite picking up an ankle knock in last night's 2-2 draw with Newcastle at Anfield.

'The medical people will assess Steven, but he can travel to join the England party,' revealed Liverpool assistant manager Phil Thompson. 'He showed the character he has to stay on the pitch last night.'

Revised squad:

Goalkeepers: David James (West Ham), Paul Robinson (Leeds)

Defenders: Danny Mills (Leeds), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Wayne Bridge (Southampton), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Gareth Southgate (Middlesbrough), Jonathan Woodgate (Leeds)

Midfielders: David Beckham (Man Utd), Nicky Butt (Man Utd), David Dunn (Blackburn), Trevor Sinclair (West Ham), Danny Murphy (Liverpool), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Lee Bowyer (Leeds), Joe Cole (West Ham)