DAVID Dunn has given Paul Ince a major boost by returning to the squad for tomorrow's trip to Wigan Athletic.

The midfielder is now fully fit after recovering from an Achilles injury sustained in the opening weeks of the season and he is likely to be on the bench at the JJB Stadium.

Hailing David's return as a major lift for everyone at the club, the manager said: "I'm over the moon - it has been a long hard road for Dunny.

"We lost him at a time when we were going well, and I've said before that he's an exceptional player and he gives us something that we haven't got in the side.

"He's been busting a gut to get back in, he's been training well these last two weeks and now we've got him in the squad, it should give everyone a lift.

"When you lose someone like Dunn for so long he is sorely missed, especially with his quality, so just to have him back in training, and to have him in the changing rooms with his voice as a leader, lifts everybody else."

Having just spent three months on the sidelines, recovering from an operation, David will not be thrown straight in at the deep end against Wigan, with the manager keen to ease him back slowly.

He added: "He's been out for quite while so it would be foolish for me to put him straight back in, but it depends on how the game goes.

"I've not picked my side yet but he'll be on the bench and hopefully we won't have to use him because that means we are winning the game. We'll see how it goes."

Tickets will be on sale at the turnstiles at the JJB Stadium on Saturday, priced £20 Adults, £15 concessions.