BLACKBURN Rovers midfield pair David Dunn and Dickson Etuhu could provide boss Gary Bowyer with a double fitness boost ahead of this weekend’s clash with managerless Middlesbrough.

Dunn has been out of action since September after a minor knee operation while Etuhu has not featured for Rovers for almost a year – also because of a knee injury.

But Bowyer has revealed both could return to the matchday squad for Saturday’s Championship visit of Middlesbrough.

And the Rovers boss believes welcoming the pair back into the fold would be a timely boost given the absence of the injured Corry Evans.

“It is always good to have players coming back from injury who can make a difference,” said the Rovers boss.

Etuhu received criticism from fans for much of last season after struggling to find his best form but Bowyer believes that he has plenty to offer the club.

He said: “I don’t think it is fair for me to comment on how things went when I wasn’t the manager.

“I am looking at the here and now and he is looking strong.

“He is a fantastic player that has played in the Premier League.

“He can give us that strength and drive in the middle of midfield and it will be a big boost to have him back.”

Etuhu played 60 minutes of Rovers’ 3-2 win over Rochdale in the Lancashire Senior Cup on Tuesday afternoon.

Bowyer added: “It is a pleasing thing for everybody that he returned.

“He looked good and he looked strong. It is a case of how he responds. He is certainly in the frame for Saturday.”

Fellow midfielder Dunn was not involved in that match but Bowyer believes the 33-year-old may also be ready for action.

Bowyer added: “He’s trained with the development squad this week and will be involved with the first team today and tomorrow.

“Saturday is certainly a possibility for him.

“We will see how he goes over the next couple of days.”

The weekend clash with struggling Middlesbrough starts a run of three home games in four during November and Bowyer is keen to take advantage of playing in front of a home crowd.

He added: “We have some home games coming up and it is important that we try and find some form at home.

“The fans have brilliant so far this season and hopefully we can get some results in these games.

“But what we have found so far is that teams are coming to Ewood and trying to stop us playing and to frustrate us. We need to be able to overcome that.”