+DAVID Dunn, the latest starlet to hit the high spots at Ewood, has committed himself to a new long-term contract with Blackburn Rovers.

The 18-year-old local lad has followed in the footsteps of Damien Duff and Damien Johnson to establish himself in the first team squad.

And his reward is a new contract, for the rest of this season and four more years, going through to the summer of 2003.

New boss Brian Kidd has already made it clear that he feels every top club should run a "vibrant" youth policy.

And he has handed out high praise to the Ewood youngsters for their efforts in a difficult situation.

But Kidd is also well aware of the need to protect them at times for their own good.

"We have to look after them, and give them a break if they need it," he said.

"But they have already shown they can handle the Premiership, that they have the temperament to handle it and that's great both for them and for the club."

Dunn's place was under obvious threat from the return of skipper Tim Sherwood -- who will keep the captaincy under Kidd -- against Newcastle this afternoon.

But the Great Harwood youngster did not take long to agree a new deal, as he said today: "I'm really glad about it. Everyone knows I have always wanted to play here.

"It was a little bit of a surprise to be offered a new contract at this time. I thought it might happen after I got into the first team but I still had another year left after this one. So I was pleased when the club wanted me to sign a new one.

"I have really enjoyed playing in the first team, though it can be hard when the side isn't doing well.

"Hopefully I will get another chance with the new manager. training has been really good this week and he has a great record with young players at Manchester United." The new contract completes a whirlwind period for the talented attacking midfielder, who was still playing for Rovers' youth team last season.

Meanwhile, Chris Sutton is hoping that he might be available for selection next week, despite examinations which have suggested to specialists that he has been suffering from stress fractures in both feet.

"They now think it is a stress fracture in the other foot as well," he confirmed.

It is the original injury, however, which concerns him most.

"The foot is still sore but I have been training for the last couple of days, taking it failrly easy to see how I progress," he said.

"I am still not 100 per cent right but I am hoping I might be fit for next Saturday. I just need to get my fitness back and I hope I will be able to strike a ball next week.

"At the moment, the only thing for me is to get back playing again. I want to help us get out of the position we are in."

Brian Kidd revealed today that he was under no illusions about the task facing Rovers to climb out of trouble.

And, while he will ensure that Ewood's current youth set-up is encouraged, it is the first team situation which is his priority at the moment. He also stressed that he would take one particular piece of advice from his former mentor Alex Ferguson.

"Alex told me to be decisive and do what you believe in," said Kidd.

"I have had a good week and I hope the players have enjoyed it. I feel I have just been myself.

"I want people who will dig in for what is bound to be a roller-coaster journey. It's all about mental toughness for us from now on.

"We have a fight on our hands and I want to see people standing up for it.

"People talk about styles of play and team building but all of that takes time and the players at your disposal.

"Players dictate that but there is a certain way I would like to see us play and we will be working on that in the months to come."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.