BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes insists David Dunn is now 'a completely different animal' compared to when he was at Birmingham City.

The rejuvenated Rovers midfielder, who spent four seasons on the payroll at City, could face his former club for the first time since he quit St Andrews earlier in the year in tonight's Carling Cup third round tie.

And Hughes believes his gifted midfielder could go on to eclipse what he achieved in his first spell with Rovers, as long as he continues to put the hard yards in on the training ground.

"I think with the work David has done himself, over and above the work we've done with him, he deserves the success he is having at the moment," said Hughes.

"He's fit, he's strong, and he's confident in his body, in that it's not going to let him down as it has done in the past.

"He knows everyday that he has to be correct and ready to work, and I think that has helped him and enabled him to play as regularly as he has done.

"By that I mean he has to be ready to train at the intensity we do, and it's not just David, it's everyone in the group.

"They know the type of work we do, and they have to make sure the work they do before and after training is right.

"You have to make sure your fluids are right, and your nutrition is right, so you can cope with the demands we put on you.

"Maybe in his younger days, David will admit himself his preparation for games and training was not what it should have been.

"But now I would suggest he's a different animal entirely."