DAVID Dunn's return to Blackburn moved a step closer last night after Birmingham City admitted they would be prepared to sell the midfielder in the January transfer window.

Rovers boss Mark Hughes is keen on signing Dunn, and the player would jump at the chance of a return to Ewood, three and a half years after he quit the club in a £5.5 million move to St Andrew's.

Now Birmingham have publicly stated for the first time that offloading Dunn in the window could be an attractive option' for all parties, which paves the way for the 27-year-old to make an emotional return to the club where he first made his name.

And he could be joined at Ewood by Welsh international striker Rob Earnshaw, with Hughes also thought to be monitoring his situation closely at Norwich City.

A succession of injuries have prevented Dunn from reproducing his best form for the Blues, and he has made just 53 starts in three and a half seasons since his club-record move.

Manager Steve Bruce had hoped to keep the former England star to help boost his side's promotion push, but Dunn is keen to move back to the North West, where he can be closer to his family, and City now seem ready to bow to that wish, knowing the player could leave for nothing when his contract runs in the summer.

Responding to press speculation regarding the midfielder's situation, City released an official statement last night on their website which read: "Further to comments attributed to Steve Bruce in newspapers regarding the fitness of David Dunn, Birmingham City and the Blues boss would like to clarify the situation regarding the midfielder.

"David Dunn is fit and has been so for a couple of weeks.

"However, following the player's recent comments indicating that he would consider a move back to the North West to be closer to his daughter and his family, the club admits that this could potentially be an attractive option for all concerned parties if the situation arose."

Birmingham are thought to want at least £1 million for Dunn, but Rovers will push for a deal that is appearance based because of the player's recent injury record.