DAVID Dunn last night accused Graeme Souness of hounding him out of Ewood Park.

The 23-year-old midfielder finally broke his silence on the feud which has been simmering between the pair as he was unveiled to the press by Birmingham City yesterday.

And Steve Bruce's new £5.5 million club record signing was quick to point an accusing finger in Souness's direction after claiming the Blackburn manager's criticism of his private life had started to affect his family.

"I have been hurt by the comments made by the manager. That's no secret," said Dunn.

"I could maybe have taken the comments if they were just directed at me but when they start affecting the people around you, people you love the most, I had to speak out.

"I don't feel the comments were justified. If there was any truth in them then I would have been the first to hold my hands up and admit I was doing wrong.

"But I live 50 yards away from my mum's house and 70 yards away from my grandad's. Obviously, everyone knows that my grandad is a massive influence on my career.

"If I had been doing anything untoward he would have been the first to come down on me like a ton of bricks."

"We were both hurt and disappointed at what was said. It is not only me, but my family that has been affected by this.

"I'm a Blackburn fan. I always have been. So that makes this all the harder. There was no way I wanted to leave the club but they made their thoughts clear and as soon as I spoke to Steve Bruce, my mind was made up."

Cracks began to appear in the relationship between Souness and Dunn when the Rovers boss publicly criticised the player amid concerns about his attitude in January.

Souness accused his young midfielder of 'taking his eye off the ball,' with the inference being that his celebrity lifestyle was starting to affect his form on the pitch.

Ever since then, the pair have struggled to see eye to eye and a move then became inevitable at the start of the summer when Dunn rejected the offer of a new contract.

The former England Under 21 skipper admits it was heartbreaking decision when he finally called time on his 15-year association with Rovers.

But after becoming stale in the last six months, he accepts he must move on for the sake of his career.

And he's now looking to regain his place in the England squad next season after joining the Blues.

Manager Steve Bruce plans to play Dunn in an attacking central midfield role - his preferred position.

Last season, a dip in form cost him his place in the national squad.

But while Souness blamed that on his lifestyle and a host of niggling injuries, Dunn himself claims it was more to do with the fact he was being played out of position.

"I'm a centre midfielder but sometimes I played on the right wing or left wing for Blackburn," he said.

"When you're playing for the team you love, you will play anywhere.

"I have always believed in my own ability and still do.

"I know my form has maybe not been up to scratch but I now feel Steve Bruce can get the best out of me."

Dunn hopes his move to the Midlands will catch the eye of England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.

"Coming here will make me grow up and make me a better player," admitted Dunn.

"I know there will be a massive improvement in my game under Steve. He will make me do things I am good at.

"He will give me the confidence to go out there and express myself and be the player I know I can be.

"I'm only 23 and have a lot to learn but I am ambitious and want to play for England.

"I was in the squad a year ago and want to get back in there."