Allardyce hopes for big impact from Dunn

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce wants fit-again David Dunn to imitate Steven Gerrard and give the club a lift.

Dunn is looking to retain his place in the team against Aston Villa in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg tomorrow after recovering from a calf injury.

The midfielder made his comeback at Villa on Saturday and played 55 minutes of the 3-1 defeat and Allardyce believes he can be as vital to Rovers as Gerrard is to Liverpool.

Allardyce said: “Dunny is a big player for us and we have been desperate to get him back.

“To be honest he has been a bigger loss than I expected. Not only he is creative he has also scored six goals.

“Let’s hope he can be as big a player for us as Steven Gerrard is for Liverpool.”