GRAEME Souness is relishing a clash of the titans at Anfield tomorrow, after predicting that Jermaine Jenas and Steven Gerrard will eventually form the heart of England's midfield.

The Newcastle boss has shown his faith in Jenas' ability by handing the 21-year-old the captain's armband in the absence of injured skipper Alan Shearer.

The midfielder, who made his full international debut in October's 1-0 win in Azerbaijan, has responded with a series of impressive displays that have illuminated an otherwise gloomy spell on Tyneside.

Gerrard has been in similarly eye-catching form recently, firing Liverpool into the last 16 of the Champions League with a spectacular strike and earning admiring glances from the direction of both Chelsea and Real Madrid.

The pair will go head to head on Merseyside as both Newcastle and Liverpool look to get their stuttering season back on track and, after starring in plenty of midfield showdowns himself, Souness expects the sparks to fly tomorrow.

"Steven Gerrard is a fantastic player," said the Magpies' boss, who is desperate to end a run of four successive games without a win. "I don't know his best position - probably attacking midfielder.

"He is a great athlete, has great technique and there are not many around that are better than him. He has the potential to be the very best.

"He and Jermaine Jenas would make a great central pair for England. I would imagine they will be the pairing for England in the not too distant future - probably before 2006.

"They would be formidable. If they play to their potential, they can be as good as anyone in the game."

Souness knows all about running the Liverpool midfield after making 247 league appearances for the Reds in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The Newcastle manager won five league titles, three European Cups and four League Cups during his six years at Anfield, becoming a Liverpool legend in the process.

"Liverpool is a very special place for me," he said. "I have lots of fond memories.

"My record going back is not very good, but I think most managers would say that. It's a huge game for both sides - they'll be frustrated after drawing with Portsmouth - but we know we're capable of going on a long run at any time."

The chances of that run beginning tomorrow should be enhanced by the return of Shearer following a four-week lay-off with a thigh problem.

The United skipper resumed full training on Thursday and will start at Anfield provided he has no adverse reaction today.

Fellow frontman Patrick Kluivert also returned to training this week but, with his hamstring problem taking slightly longer to heal, the Dutch international could be forced to sit out again this weekend.

Kieron Dyer faces a late fitness test on the calf problem that forced him out of Thursday's draw with Sporting Lisbon, but Lee Bowyer will return to the side after serving a one-game European ban.

Bowyer's return should enable Olivier Bernard to revert to his preferred position of full-back, with Robbie Elliott and Aaron Hughes battling it out for the right to partner Titus Bramble at the heart of defence.