DAVID Dunn hopes he can still play a part in Blackburn Rovers' late bid for Europe - even though he's been ruled out of tomorrow's trip to Newcastle.

Dunn will miss the game at St James' Park after he picked up a thigh injury during the first half of last week's 4-1 demolition of Charlton Athletic.

However, the revitalised midfielder is adamant his season is not over, and he's planning to return for the final two games of the campaign against Tottenham and Reading next week, when maximum points could yet see Rovers sneak into a UEFA Cup spot.

"I'm hoping to be back for the last two games," said Dunn, whose recent performances have been good enough to keep Tugay out of the starting line-up.

"I felt some pain in my thigh last week when I pushed off to close down Alexandre Song, but it's nothing serious. The medical staff just feel it's not worth risking it this weekend."

Both Dunn and manager Mark Hughes have been happy with the midfielder's fitness record since he rejoined Blackburn in January following three injury-plagued years at Birmingham.

After making his second debut' for the club in the 2-1 victory over Sheffield United on February 3, Dunn has figured in all but one of Rovers' 15 games since, and he only sat out the FA Cup quarter final win over Manchester City because he was serving a one-match suspension.

While Dunn admits he still has some way to go before fully convincing the doubters that his old injury problems are firmly behind him, he at least feels more positive within himself about the direction in which his career is now heading.

"I'm really enjoying my football again," said the 27-year-old, who made just 53 starts in his time at Birmingham.

"I've been really pleased with my fitness since I came back here.

"I know it's still early days but I think I've shown pretty high levels of fitness since I came back and that's been supported by my ProZone stats.

"I've played 14 or 15 games in a pretty short space of time and I'm pleased with how things are going.

"I'm already looking forward to next season. With a full pre-season under my belt, hopefully I'll show the form I know I'm capable of."