DAVID DUNN is back in contention for Sunday's game at Aston Villa after starting full-time training again.

The 21-year-old is keeping his fingers crossed he has fully recovered from medial knee ligament damage after resuming training on Saturday.

Dunn suffered the injury on the opening day of the Premiership season in a crunching tackle with Derby County's Fabrizio Ravanelli.

The original diagnosis was that he would be out until the beginning of October - and Dunn had pencilled in for the England Under 21 game against Greece at Ewood Park a week on Friday.

But the midfielder, who was on crutches for a couple of weeks after the game against the Rams, is ready to return - and is hoping he may feature at Villa Park.

"I feel brilliant at the moment. I've been back in training now since last Saturday and, hopefully, I will be involved on Sunday.

"I have felt no reaction. It is a bonus and I would like to be involved in the game against Villa but it is up to the gaffer.

"The lads have been doing great so it is up to me to try and get fit and win my place back."

Rovers boss Graeme Souness confirmed that Dunn would be involved: "It is a big boost to have him back. He is a young lad and he should heal quickly. He looks after himself and will be in the squad for Sunday."

Dunn admits it has been frustrating sitting on the sidelines after playing a big part in Rovers return to the Premiership last season.

"It has been agony. I am not a good watcher. When you are training and playing it is just a job but when you can't do it you realise how much you miss it.

"It has been so frustrating and annoying. You just want to get out there so it is a relief to be in contention again. The first tackle will be hard but I just want to get out there and do it.

"Now it is up to me."

Even if he doesn't feature on Sunday, Dunn, who had a spell as England Under 21 captain, is hopeful he can win another cap at Ewood against Greece.

"David Platt has been on the phone every week to see how I am going on. It has been brilliant and of course I would love to play, especially as it is at Ewood Park."

While Dunn is the bonus, Rovers will be without Damien Duff who tweaked his hamstring in last Saturday's 1-0 win over Everton.

"Damien will miss Sunday's game and the Republic of Ireland international which is a blow for us and for them."

Keeper Alan Kelly, who returned from a loan spell at Birmingham last week, has been called into Mick McCarthy's squad while midfielder Jason McAteer has also been selected.

Kelly injured his arm in his final match at St Andrews against Burnley but Souness confirmed: "He should be okay."

Midfielder McAteer could face Cyprus in the Group Two qualifier at Lansdowne Road on October 6, but McCarthy will leave it until closer to the game before deciding whether to risk players currently on yellow cards from previous matches in the competition -- a list that includes midfielder McAteer.

"I want to be certain those players on yellow cards do not pick up any further cautions as they will be vital for the play-offs but I will decide on that closer to the game," said McCarthy.

Portugal top the Republic's group with the same points but have plus-21 goals while the Irish have plus-14 so it looks likely McCarthy's men will be in the play-offs against an Asian nation.

Meanwhile, Souness has denied interest in Inter Milan striker Hakar Suker who Liverpool are said to be chasing. He was with the Rovers boss at Galatasaray.

And Souness continued his search for new blood and was at the Wimbledon versus Millwall game on Monday night.

CAMEROON international defender Lucien Mettomo, who was on the verge of £4m move to Rovers last year before knee problems, is expected to sign for Manchester City today.