THIS is the season when David Dunn has been compared to Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Xavi and Andres Iniesta. It is an illustrious list, yet the clock is ticking.

Blackburn Rovers’ jewel in the crown, the man who has been at the heart of most of their best play this season, has just eight months left on his contract at Ewood Park.

Luckily, the local lad wants to stay. The chances of this descending into the sort of saga that preceded the exits of David Bentley and Roque Santa Cruz are minimal.

But, for Rovers fans, there remains some reason to be concerned.

A reason that was explained by Dunn himself only this week.

“Things are creeping on now and I don’t really know what to think at the minute,” he said about his contract situation.

“I’m prepared to do whatever is best for my career and if that means moving away then it’s something I’d have to think long and hard about.

“Hopefully it won’t get to that and something can be sorted out.

“But I’m sure we’ll have options when the time is right.”

And options are something Dunn will surely have if his future is not resolve quickly.

A man who has staked a pretty convincing case for a place in the England squad in recent months – is there really anything James Milner can do that Dunn cannot? – is likely to have his admirers elsewhere.

Admirers who would look favourably on the opportunity to pick him up for nothing in the summer.

He has already been linked with Al Nasr in the United Arab Emirates, a club who would be able to start negotiations on January 1, but that rumour appeared extravagant.

After all – apart from sun, vast riches, state of the art architecture and the tallest building in the world – what does Dubai have that Blackburn hasn’t?

Suggestions that clubs from the top half of the Premier League might be interested seem less fanciful, though.

Clubs in England would not be allowed to offer Dunn a deal until the end of the season, but we can all think of instances when things have not necessarily worked like that.

Rovers’ initial caution in entering into negotiations was perhaps understandable.

Dunn, like Steven Reid, has been blighted by injuries in recent seasons.

Rovers did not know whether he would even be on the pitch this season, let alone back to the form of his life.

But the 29-year-old has done more than enough now to prove himself worthy of a new deal, so the quicker it is signed the better for all concerned.

In truth, Dunn may not be Gerrard, or Lampard, or Xavi, or Iniesta.

But Rovers are unlikely to progress without him.