Dunn not tempted to sub again

BACK IN CONTENTION . . . Cameron Dummigan is expected to return at right-back

MANAGER David Dunn has confirmed he WON’T name himself on the bench as a player against Sheffield United tomorrow.

Athletic’s manager said the move to field himself as a sub against Scunthorpe last Saturday was a mistake - but the 35 year old has stopped short of announcing his retirement from playing.

“Playing was a positive in that it means I probably can’t do both,” he admitted. “If I was going to do it, it would probably be easier to start. I blame myself a little as I shouldn’t have done it.”

Free agent Ricardo Fuller was this morning set to sign after a successful trial. If considered fit the veteran forward could come straight into the starting XI in place of the ineligible Michael Higdon.

“He has been very good in and around the training ground,” said Dunn. “We know his character, which is very important in signing any player. He talks to the young guys and they listen to him. If he can improve them as well, it is good for them.”

Connor Brown, who struggled against Scunthorpe, will be replaced at right-back by Cameron Dummigan, with Jay Fulton also back from international duty.

“We missed them,” Dunn said. “Not just in their play, but they are mentally strong young lads who bounce back from mistakes.

Athletic are seeking an end to the longest sequence of league games without a win (10) in the Football League. Dunn also wants his players to lift themselves in matches.

“If we are under the cosh a bit, what can we do to flip that momentum and make it for us?” he said.

“You can find a way of kick-starting something — not that it should need an incident out of the blue for us to start playing.”