DAVID Dunn still finds it hard to believe how his career has suddenly taken off in the last few months.
But the 18-year-old attacking midfielder is enjoying every minute of it and is more than ready to do his duty if required by Blackburn Rovers here in France tonight.
The locally born Great Harwood youngster made his senior bow as a short lived substitute at Everton on Saturday.
He went on with 20 minutes to go but was then replaced by Billy McKinlay in the wake of Martin Dahlin's dismissal to ensure Rovers held on for a point.
But a taste of the Premiership was a rewarding experience for Dunn, one of the stars of last sesson's youth team. And to be given the call against Olympique Lyonnais tonight would see him turning cartwheels rather than cowering nervously in a corner.
"I am not a nervous person so it doesn't really bother me," he said.
"I am just glad to be playing. It's exciting and a brilliant experience."
Saturday's first appearance at Goodison has certainly whetted his appetite for more, "I was just happy to go on no matter how long it was for," he explained.
"It was a surprise to come off but it had to be done for the team. The gaffer explained to me why he did it afterwards and I agree with him."
So will he get another chance tonight?
"You never know until he names the team," he said.
"But I would love to play.
"I was only playing in the B team last year so it's amazing what has happened in the last six months."
The emergence of players like Dunn could prove to be a real bonus for the future during what is proving a traumatic time.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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