BIRMINGHAM boss Steve Bruce is ready to go to war with Blackburn Rovers again after warning: I won't let David Dunn leave on the cheap.

Rovers look set to lodge a bid for Dunn when the transfer window opens at the end of this month, but Bruce still hasn't forgotten the way Robbie Savage quit Birmingham for Ewood two years ago and he is determined a deal will only be done on his terms.

The City chief said: "It has been deeply upsetting what has happened to David Dunn - both for him and us.

"He's had an horrific time for the last two-and-a-half years with his injuries. Now I have to consider; do we allow him to make a fresh start and cut our losses?

"But I am not going to be hijacked, mollycoddled or hoodwinked into anything that is just going to suit David Dunn.

"Myself and the club have stood by him over the years. We have given him time and energy to get over his injuries and he is still our player."

Rovers boss Mark Hughes has already publicly stated his admiration for Dunn, but he will only offer a fraction of the £5.5 million Birmingham originally paid to stake him to St Andrews three and a half years ago.