Dunn is ready to return for Rovers

David Dunn is ready to make a comeback for Blackburn Rovers this weekend – and clear the way for Jason McAteer to join Sunderland. The England Under-21 skipper Dunn has recovered quickly from an ankle ligament injury and will be fit for Blackburn's Aston Villa trip.

The Blackburn manager, Graeme Souness, has missed Dunn since the first game of the season and will put him in ahead of McAteer. Sunderland are in negotiations with Blackburn for McAteer and hope for permission to talk to him this week.

McAteer has been available on a free for months and Rovers are willing to let him go to get his wages off their payroll.

The Bolton manager, Sam Allardyce, is ready to add the Italian left back Davide Nicola to his collection of bargains. Allardyce has been impressed with the 28-year-old Genoa defender in closed-door games with Celtic and Leeds United.

Nicola is a free agent at the Serie B side and could join on a contract if terms can be agreed in the next few days. Allardyce has no competition for left back Simon Charlton and is looking for new blood there.

The Presto manager David Moyes is looking at the Marseille midfielder Benjamin Gavano as he faces up to a manpower crisis. Gavano may join on loan for the season.

Moyes has signed the former Scotland international Billy McKinlay on a short-term contract at Deepdale. The 32-year-old former Blackburn Rovers midfielder moved to Bradford City on a free transfer last season but was released after failing to make an impact. Moyes will keep McKinlay at Deepdale on a week-to-week contract while he assesses his value.

Moyes has serious injury problems, with Kevin Gallacher, Mark Rankine and Michael Keane just three of several on the sidelines.

The Barnsley captain, Steve Chettle, has joined their First Division rivals Walsall on a month's loan. He is expected to go straight into the Saddlers side to face Manchester City at Maine Road this evening.

Bury's India international striker Baichung Bhutia has been called back to England to prevent him being stranded if the United States launch military action against Afghanistan. The 25-year-old – the first Asian to play in the Football League when he joined the Shakers two seasons ago – had been resting in India as he recovered from a cartilage operation.

North End will be without their captain Sean Gregan and the centre half Colin Murdock against Norwich City tonight.

Birmingham City's manager Trevor Francis was yesterday fined £1,500 and warned as to his future conduct at a Football Association disciplinary hearing. Francis was in trouble following an incident at the end of City's First Division play-off semi-final against Preston in May. Francis was involved in a dispute with the referee Paul Danson over which end of the ground the penalties should be taken. The Birmingham defender Michael Johnson was fined £1,200 and the midfielder Danny Sonner £1,000, and both also received warnings after they became involved in same dispute.

England's vital European Championship Under-21 qualifier with Greece on 6 October is already attracting the interest of the Blackburn public with more than 10,000 tickets snapped up for the Ewood Park clash.