BLACKBURN Rovers have opened contract talks with David Dunn as they bid to secure the long-term future of the Ewood Park favourite.

The in-form midfielder’s current deal expires in the summer but contact has now been made between Rovers and Dunn’s representatives with a view to starting more serious negotiations.

Both parties are believed to be keen to extend Dunn’s time in East Lancashire but, with talks still at a very early stage, neither the player nor the club see any reason to rush the process.

Rovers are hopeful sorting Dunn’s future will be far less complicated with the player himself more than happy with life at Ewood Park.

The 29-year-old’s Rovers’ career was shrouded in uncertainty just this summer after a couple of injury-disrupted seasons limited his impact upon his return from Birmingham City.

A return to fitness and form this campaign though has more than convinced Rovers’ hierarchy, Dunn can be a key figure at Ewood for years to come and will hope to secure his future in the not to distant future.

Great Harwood-born Dunn has already stated he expects to have options, but it is believed the play-maker is keen on agreeing a new deal to keep him at his boyhood club.

He has already bagged six goals in all competitions this campaign, just two shy of his previous Premier League best he set in 2002/03 and 2001/02.

The former England international did once hit 18 goals for Rovers in the Championship in 2000/01, but his recent resurgence has led to calls for his England recall – with his sole England cap to date coming in 2002.