The Saturday Interview with David Dunn

A while ago, the cheeky 20-year-old starlet dared to suggest team-mate Marlon Broomes was a dead-ringer for TV entertainer Gary Wilmot.

But Broomes was in unforgiving mood and retorted with a jibe of his own which now haunts Dunn wherever he goes.

The England Under 21 international has been christened 'Tyrone' by Broomes and his team-mates because of his passing resemblance for the Coronation Street grease monkey.

And if one thing ruffles the unflappable youngster, then it's being called by his new nickname.

"I think Marlon Broomes made it up one day after I called him Gary Wilmot," quipped Dunn.

"But everyone I speak to doesn't think I look anything like him and neither do I.

"So I don't know where he got that one from!"

The fact his team-mates take the Michael at all is a sign of Dunn's acceptance as a first team regular.

Three short months ago, however, the self-confessed Rovers fan feared he had no Ewood future at all.

Overlooked by caretaker boss Tony Parkes, a disillusioned Dunn reluctantly handed in a transfer request.

It was the hardest decision of his life and required a great deal of soul-searching.

But he felt it was the only solution.

"I didn't want to do it but I felt at the time I wasn't getting anywhere at Ewood," said Dunn.

"I thought I was never going to get back into the team. "Much as I love the club, I had to put my career first.

"And at the time I felt getting away from Blackburn was the best thing to do."

Since manager Graeme Souness took over, however, Dunn's Rovers career is now firmly back on the rails.

And such is the Ewood chief's confidence in the youngster, he is planning to build his side around him, Damien Duff and Matt Jansen next season.

Such a show of faith has clearly rubbed off on Dunn, who recently won a recall to the England Under 21 squad thanks to his impressive finish to the season.

"It's nice when you hear things like that coming from the manager," said Dunn.

"He seems to believe in me which is a great boost for any player.

"And with him being a midfielder as well he has taken me on one side and told me a few things about how to improve my game.

"I've only ever seen him play on video but people tell me he was a brilliant passer of the ball.

"And to achieve what he has in the game means he must have been a great player.

"You can only learn off people like and I certainly don't feel in awe of him because he's a very down to earth guy."

It was Dunn's granddad, David, who encouraged him to pursue a career in football as a youngster.

And it was a dream come true when he became part of Rovers' Youth set-up in his teens.

"I used to stand on the Blackburn End so to sign for the club you supported as a boy was amazing.

"Ossie Ardiles and Steve Archibald played in the first game I ever watched.

"So to actually go on to play for the club myself is a dream come true. "I owe a lot to my granddad for making that happen.

"He took me everywhere when I was a lad and really supported me.

"But Rob Kelly and Bobby Downes have also played a big part because they helped me a lot when I was coming up through the Youth ranks."

As a kid, Dunn became totally obsessed by the mercurial skills of Paul Gascoigne.

He would spend hours watching Gazza videos before trying to copy his tricks on the pitch.

"I loved everything about him -- his skill and everything," said Dunn.

"He was so talented it was frightening."

Unlike his hero, however, Dunn is well aware of the responsibilities that go with being a professional footballer.

With the huge sums of money being poured into the game these days, more and more temptation is being placed in the way of up and coming players.

But Dunn hasn't allowed himself to waiver, even though it involves making great sacrifices.

"Yes, there are a lot of rewards for players these days but you have got to give a lot of things up.

"You can't just go out with your mates and do what you want, when you want.

"And as a group of young players together, that's the thing everyone talks about as being the hardest thing to deal with.

"You've got to be disciplined and look after yourself.

"There is a time and a place for that sort of thing but you know you have got to be sensible." Dunn's family and friends help to keep his feet on the ground.

He still lives in Great Harwood, hangs around with the same group of friends, and likes to relax in the summer by watching his home town's cricket team.

"All my family are always around me so if I do get too big for my boots they will soon let me know.

"And I've got a great bunch of mates too.

"You get to know who your friends are and who are not.

"If they aren't genuine then it comes out eventually because there are a lot of downs as well as ups in football.

"And I've experienced both of them in my career so far."

At the moment, though, things are certainly on the up for the Oasis-mad midfielder.

Named in the England squad for the European Under 21 Championships which start today in Slovakia, Dunn is regarded in the same bracket as the likes of Aston Villa's Lee Hendrie and Derby's Seth Johnson -- who he rooms with on international duty.

The Rovers star is certainly not overawed at being in such exulted company.

And he aims to make the most of his second chance after winning his one and only previous cap 12 months ago.

"I've just got myself into the squad so I cannot expect to walk straight into the team.

"And there is a lot of strong competition for places with the likes of myself, Frank Lampard, Jamie Carragher, Lee Hendrie, David Thompson and Michael Carrick all fighting for the same position.

"But I'm quite confident as a player and I believe in my own ability.

"And I want to prove I'm worthy of a place in the starting line up."