WELSH flier Robert Earnshaw is battling with Manchester United goal-poacher Ruud van Nistelrooy to become the top-scorer in the English league - but it's far from personal.

Bedwas-based Earnshaw is sitting pretty as the top hitman with 35 goals in all competitions with Cardiff City while Dutchman van Nistelrooy's account is 33.

But the 21-year-old live-wire insists he's not in the same league as United's 'Ruud boy.'

"In the Premier League," Earnshaw drooled, "he's unbelievable. Van Nistelrooy is a great striker and I shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as him.

"It's not a personal battle between me and him for the ultimate golden boot, it's just that I enjoy playing and love scoring goals.

"It's nice that the goals keep coming and I'd love to score a few more before the end of the season."

Earnshaw's 30 league goals have almost single-handedly kept Cardiff in the promotion hunt from Nationwide Division Two and, like a little kid, Earnshaw is excited about the prospect of playing football, whether for Lennie Lawrence's men or for his country.

"I'm just dying to play," said the striker, ahead of Saturday's Millennium Stadium showdown with Azerbaijan.

"It's going to be a buzzing full house and a great atmosphere. We'll try to do our best and hopefully get a win."

Earnshaw is knocking loudly on Mark Hughes' door after impressive performances in the red of Wales - he's scored two goals in just four international outings.

"It is really exciting times with Wales at the moment," added the Zambian-born star, "and I'm just glad to be involved.

"We need to enter the summer break unbeaten, we really need the points against Azerbaijan."

Meanwhile Earnshaw revealed his Cardiff and Wales team-mate Danny Gabbidon, the Cwmbran-raised centre-back who has been sidelined for five months with a back problem, is "smiling again."

He said: "Danny is back in full training which is a huge boost for Wales and Cardiff."