FORMER Blackburn skipper Lee Carsley today admitted he fears for his Rovers future following David Dunn's emergence as one of the hottest properties outside the Premiership.

Republic of Ireland international Carsley has barely had a look-in all season as Dunn and new captain Garry Flitcroft have forged a telepathic understanding in the centre of midfield.

And, though the 26-year-old could be in line for a recall against Wolves on Saturday in place of the suspended Flitcroft, he believes he may ultimately have to leave Ewood to save his career.

"It's been frustrating and it's a situation I'm not really very happy about," said Carsley.

"It's the first time I've ever been in the situation where I'm not playing week in, week out.

"I want to play for Blackburn Rovers but I'm not going to be very happy just sitting on the bench.

"I accept it's the manager's decision, Garry Flitcroft and David Dunn have done extremely well together, and they deserve it.

"But I'm a professional footballer and I want to be playing.

"And the current situation is not fair on me and it's not fair on the club, who paid a lot of money to bring me here in the first place.

"So it's got to come to a head at some point."

Apart from a Worthington Cup appearance against West Ham on October 31, Carsley's last start in the Nationwide League was against Fulham a month ago.

And Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy has made it clear he must start playing regularly soon, otherwise it could affect his international ambitions.

"Mick has told me I've got to be playing," said Carsley.

"I'm 26 now and he wants me involved on a regular basis because he knows it's going to be hard to keep picking the likes of myself, Jason McAteer and Alan Kelly if we are not playing with our club.

"We could easily just sit here, pick up our money and say we don't care.

"But we all want to play and the Ireland thing is very important to me."

Carsley should get the nod ahead of McAteer to fill in for Flitcroft at the weekend.

But the former Derby man feels it will only be a matter of time before he is back on the bench.

"Even if I get picked and have a blinder I don't think it will make much difference because the manager has settled on his best partnership," said Carsley.

"So all I can do is get my head down, try and do the best I can, and then see what happens after that."