BLACKBURN Rovers stalwart David Dunn has urged supporters not to turn their back on the club, because the players need them now more than ever.

The midfielder fears a revolt following the latest crisis to hit Ewood Park, because fans have once again been left in the dark.

There has been no comment from the club or owners Venky’s in the wake of the decision to sack Michael Appleton last Tuesday.

Only brief statements have confirmed the 37-year-old’s dismissal, and that Gary Bowyer will again take caretaker charge, until the end of the season.

But with Rovers lying just four points above the Champioinship drop zone ahead of their Good Friday derby with Blackpool, Dunn has urged supporters to put their grievances against the club’s administration to one side in order to back their survival bid.

“I hope the fans can somehow have some sympathy for the players and make it as easy as they can for us to play and get behind us and give us as much confidence as they can,” he said.

“Every fan is passionate about this club as are a lot of people on the playing side. Hopefully we can create an atmosphere that’s good for us to go and get a positive result and not one that’s going to be a protest.”

Instead, Dunn has urged for a replica of their last derby atmosphere.

The 33-year-old brought the Ewood Park crowd to its feet with his last gasp equaliser in the East Lancashire dual with Burnley before the international break.

“I’ve never seen a celebration in my time at Ewood like that, and the crowd rocking like they were,” he said.

“I thought ‘this could be a real turning point to go and get some real positive results.

“The euphoria from that and how happy people were - I’m not saying for one minute a draw against Burnley makes us feel happy, but the way it ended I was expecting the fans to come on Friday against Blackpool and to be in top form again.”

Dunn is out of contract in the summer, and could have been in line for a new deal under Appleton. But he insists his only concern is the future of the football club rather than his own.

“I’m just going to get on with my stuff like I do,” he said.

“I just want the club to be sorted out and try to get some stability back in the place.

“The one thing I wanted to do was get back playing again.

“The derby wasn’t a flash in the pan for me. I felt I could have made this impact months ago and wasn’t given the chance.

“Hopefully I can carry on playing. I want to finish the season off strong and, more importantly, help the club escape the drop and climb the table.”

On the playing side, Dunn has backed Bowyer to steady the ship in what will be his second caretaker spell in charge in just three months.

The reserve team coach boasted an unbeaten four-game run in his last stint, winning three.

“You only have to look at last time, Gary got some positive reaction and I’m sure he will do this time,” added the midfielder.

“He is probably thinking similar to how we are – it can’t be good for anyone to be in this position.

“We would all like someone to stay and get some stability in the place, because having five, possibly six, managers in one season isn’t ideal.”

But Dunn said the players would take responsibility for preventing a second straight relegation.

“We can’t control what happens off the pitch but we can try our best to control what’s happening on the pitch,” he added.

“As a group of players results haven’t been great. We need to improve that.”