DAVID Dunn is expected to hand manager Sam Allardyce a huge selection dilemma as he finally shows signs of beating the injury woes that have destroyed his start to the season.

The Rovers midfielder has been limited to just 43 minutes of action this campaign after picking up hamstring and groin injuries but is in line to be ready to make himself available for Sunderland’s Premier League Ewood visit in a fortnight.

Last season’s talisman was expected to be a key man for Rovers in their bid for an explosive start to the current campaign, having not missed a minute of the pre-season preparations.

But, just nine minutes into Rovers’ opener against Everton Dunn limped off and hasn’t started another Premier League match, with just a second half substitute cameo against Arsenal since.

Dunn’s return has already suffered a false start, picking up a hamstring strain for the reserves on his comeback at the end of August, and Allardyce is wary of throwing the midfielder back into action too soon.

Tonight’s reserve clash at Bolton would come too early for Dunn, even if the Rovers boss was prepared to risk his star man in the second-string, leaving match fitness a potential problem.

Last season’s top scorer’s creativity has been sorely missed at times this time around with Saturday’s second half at Stoke a prime example of where Rovers have lacked his spark.

With tough Premier League matches against Liverpool and Chelsea to follow, Allardyce will be left weighing up whether he can throw Dunn straight back into the starting line-up for Sunderland’s visit.

The 30-year-old midfielder will use the fortnight’s international break as an opportunity to continue his push for fitness and to press his cause for a playing return, but his selection would represent a gamble.