PAUL Ince believes David Dunn’s imminent return could add something ‘money can’t buy’ as he looks to guide Rovers away from the relegation mire.

The injury-plagued midfielder is on target for a December comeback, after undergoing an Achilles operation earlier this campaign, with boss Ince insistent Dunn can make a major contribution to a Rovers’ revival.

While the club remain determined not to rush him back, Dunn’s rehabilitation has stepped up a gear, filling his manager with optimism he will be back in action by the turn of the year.

He is back running in training and, with a busy December ahead, Ince knows the return of his vice skipper could prove priceless for the remainder of the campaign.

Ince said: “We are getting there slowly that is for sure. Dunny is getting better by the minute, which is good news.

“I think the end of December is still a realistic target.

"We don’t want to push him, but the lad is very optimistic.

"He is running now and, although we have not put an actual date on it, we are looking somewhere around that mark.

“He scored against Everton in the first game of the season and is a very talented player.

"He is a completely different player to anything we have got at the club.

“He can make things happen and he has been sorely missed.

"By him getting back fit, hopefully by January, it will be great for us. Players like Dunny cost a lot of money.

“You can’t always buy that creativity but Dunny is a local lad, loves the club, and can’t wait to get back and help us up the league. What a boost his return could bring.”

Dunn’s absence ever since Rovers’ second game of the campaign has seen the Ewood Park outfit drop down the Premier League table and into the relegation zone.

Ince is already stepping up his efforts to bolster his troubled squad ahead of the opening of the January transfer window but he insists Dunn’s return would bring more than an on-field contribution.

He said: “We need all the lads, the fans, everyone, we need to stick together.

"Dunny helps with that because he is a local lad being in the mix of it.

"It will be great to get him back in the dressing room as well as on the pitch."