Dunn not expecting call

Rovers ace places three points at Bolton ahead of international rumours

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 22nd November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Dunn not expecting call

Dunn: Does not expect call

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Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Dunn has played down speculation that he could be able to force his way into Fabio Capello's England squad ahead of the World Cup.

The 29-year-old has been in a rich vein of form, scoring five goals in 10 games in all competitions this season, to spark suggestions that he has caught the eye of the Three Lions manager.

Capello has set a precedent for selecting players based on positive performances and fitness, with Dunn meeting both criteria having seemingly put the musculoskeletal injury problems that blighted his early career behind him.

But the Rovers star, who has one cap to his name after playing 43 minutes in a friendly draw with Portugal in 2002 during Sven Goran Eriksson's tenure, does not expect to be involved with England before the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Asked about rumours that he is in Capello's thoughts, Dunn told skysports.com: "If people say that, it is not really down to me. You would probably say, 'if you keep playing well, you never know.'

"But is going to be a big ask now to break into that side. No doubt there will be a late surge and there will be a few players looking to do that.

"But I am just happy at Blackburn, doing my best for my club and hopefully staying fit all season."

Dunn's immediate focus is his displays in Sam Allardyce's team and he is pleased with his campaign after enlisting the help of a fitness specialist from South Africa to help cure injury setbacks.

Horizon

"I am feeling really good," he said. "I feel fit and my form has been okay as well. It has also been good scoring the goals. Hopefully I can keep getting on the scoresheet.

"I've done a few different things (for fitness). I think it is just that I have got games under my belt now and have hardened from the games.

"I see a guy from South Africa now and he looks after my orthotics (techniques and devices to help posture and alignment). I feel my fitness has improved.

"The fitness people and the physios at Blackburn are very good as well so I have been working hard with them."

On the immediate horizon for Dunn is a Lancashire derby with Bolton on Sunday and the local Blackburn boy hopes Rovers can address a travel sickness that has seen Allardyce's troops fail to record an away point in the league this season.

"We had a very good result last time out against Portsmouth at home," said Dunn, who is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to open talks with Rovers over a new deal. "Hopefully we can carry that on again on Sunday.

"Our away form has not been great but hopefully we can put that right. We did well in the local derby against Burnley and we want a bit more of the same.

"It is time to start picking more points up away from home and we see this (Bolton) as a chance of getting some."