08 October 2004
Jonathan Stead Exclusive

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Blackburn Rovers' striker Jon Stead is relishing the prospect of running out in front of his home crowd in an England shirt.

He has been taken to heart by the Rovers faithful after helping the side beat the drop last year, and would like nothing more than a goal in front of them tonight as he exclusively told TheFA.com for England TV.

"It’s going to be a great occasion for me," he explained. "There’s going to be a big crowd there and I’m sure they’ll get behind us - it’ll be great running out with an England shirt on.

"The fans have been fantastic. They didn’t know much about me when I first joined so I think I took them by surprise with the way it went at the end of last season.

"It's a bit of a difficult time at the moment with not hitting the back of the net but they’re all still behind me.

"On my own turf with an England shirt on has got to be the time to score!"

So how will Jon be preparing for the big game tonight?

"Back at home I have a DVD of all the goals that I scored for Huddersfield and Blackburn last season.

"It's just to get me in the right frame of mind really so I have positive thoughts going through my head - so I know I can score."

Tickets for tonight's match are still available from the Blackburn Rovers FC Ticket Hotline: 08701 123456. £10 for adults, £5 for Under 16s and OAPs.