Dunn believes he still has a lot to offer Blackburn Rovers

The Great Harwood-born Rovers midfielder has been left on the periphery of the club’s Championship campaign, having made just one start, but is desperate for a chance to show what he can still do. Dunn, who has been at his hometown club for a decade over two spells, has conceded if he continues on the sidelines he may have to look elsewhere to get first team action.

But, despite reports linking him with a loan move imminently, the 32-year-old is adamant his immediate priority remains on playing a role in helping Rovers back into the Premier League.

Dunn has revealed his summer frustration at a pre-season training schedule that he insists was not rigorous enough for him but is adamant he now feels ready to play a prominent role.

He said: “At my age I just want to play football, it isn’tabout anything else now. I know it sounds a bit corny but I do want to play for Blackburn Rovers and I always have done.

“It is difficult when you are not getting a chance to show what you can do and I haven’t had that this season.

“I can’t run like an 18-year-old but I certainly feel I can give the team something. With my experience, I would hope I could make the right decisions in the game.

“Ideally I would like to play for another 10 years at Blackburn Rovers. Realistically I know that is not going to happen. I am not even saying I should be starting but I certainly feel very strongly there are certain times where I would have been able to make an impact.

“Just the fact I am playing in front of my own fans gives people a lift. I could make an impact just by running at someone. Down the line if I am not playing here, I want to play football somewhere.

“My ego is not too big to drop down a level and play but I still feel I have a bit to give to Blackburn Rovers but that is out of my own hands.”

Dunn was an unused substitute for Kean’s last three games and has only featured in second half cameo’s under caretaker boss Eric Black since.

“I certainly thought I would have had at least a chance to prove my worth, but I have only played about 20 minutes in the last six or seven weeks,” he said.

“I feel very good in training now. I am pretty honest with myself. If I did not feel I was doing enough to earn a shot I would be the first to know. I certainly think I have done enough to at least get more than 20 minutes.

“It is important to say that was under the old regime. Eric Black has come in and I have a lot respect and time for him. I worked with him at Birmingham and he is an exceptional coach. I am sure he has been put in a very difficult position.”

He continued: “Pre-season was frustrating down to the fact I only ran a couple of times and played a few games. It was probably the worst pre-season I have ever had.

“For me personally, the only way to get fit is to run. If you are not running you are not going to get fit. That is surely pretty clear to most people.

“I know different sports science aspects have been brought into it but in my opinion it is pretty clear you only get out what you put in. To only do a couple of proper runs in a six week period and play a few games, I felt it was not great preparation for me.

“I played the Hull game and did okay but I didn’t feel sharp. I was disappointed I had not played much of a part in pre season games. I was made to feel I was not fancied.

“I went to see Steve Kean and said I wanted to get myself fit and so I took myself out of it for 10 days. I did my own training to get myself in good nick. Since then I have been waiting to get a chance.

“Our fitness coach left, Mark Howard, and I felt that was a big blow. We lost one of the top fitness coaches in the country and that is not easy. We have lost a lot of good people over the last few years.”