BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer has insisted that David Dunn will not be taking over the coaching role vacated by Colin Hendry.

Hendry left his position as the club’s U21s coach earlier this month and there has been speculation that Dunn could be the man to fill his boots.

The midfielder, along with defender Markus Olsson, is in talks with Rovers over a new contract.

But Bowyer has confirmed those discussions do not include the possibility of Dunn replacing Hendry as right-hand man to U21s boss Eric Kinder.

“Colin Hendry has left but Dunny will not be doing the job,” said Bowyer.

“He’s still got something to offer as a player.”

Dunn is keen to move into coaching and he has recently completed his UEFA A Licence.

But the 34-year-old’s main aim is to prolong a playing career in which he has made 366 appearances and scored 59 goals for Rovers.

And his manager reckons Dunn is right to do so.

“I know Dunny has said he is concentrating on playing and I understand that because once you start looking at the other side of things you can neglect the playing side,” said Bowyer, whose playing career was cut short by injury.

“The coaching side is a massive, massive job.

“You can’t take your eye off that and to do both is very, very difficult.”

Bowyer is keen to ensure that Dunn extends his stay at Rovers into a 14th season.

And he also wants Olsson, who like Dunn is out of contract, to put pen to paper on a new deal.

The Sweden international left-back was restricted to just nine appearances last season because of the form of Tommy Spurr.

But Olsson impressed in the final three games of the season after previous league ever present Spurr, who has signed a contract extension tying him to Rovers until 2016, was ruled out through a groin injury.

Bowyer said: “Markus finished the season outstandingly well for us.”

Olsson, who arrived at Ewood Park in January 2012 from Swedish side Halmstads, fits in with Rovers’ wage structure.

And if the 26-year-old does commit his future to the club it would save Bowyer, who is scouring the market for a right back, the task of searching for a replacement.

Youngster Josh Morris can also play left back.

But it is understood the 22-year-old is attracting interest from Fleetwood Town.

Morris helped Fleetwood win promotion to League One last season during an impressive loan spell at the end of the campaign which saw him win the League Two player of the month award for April and score two goals in 17 appearances.

Rovers return to pre-season on July 2 ahead of their friendly opener away to AFC Telford United on July 12.