SAM Allardyce revealed today how delays in getting medical tests carried out had frustrated his attempts to sign David Dunn over the weekend.

As speculation grew that Dunn's former club, Blackburn Rovers, were trying to hi-jack the deal, the Wanderers boss said a scan, an essential element of the player's medical, had been held up until today.

Allardyce still expects the deal, which could eventually cost Wanderers an estimated £1.75 million, to be finalised early this week. But, with his history of back and hamstring injuries, the 27-year-old midfielder will not sign unless the Reebok backroom staff are satisfied his problems are behind him.

"Unfortunately we could not get what we wanted over the weekend," the manager said. "Not even a football club.

"We need a scan and nobody would give us the opportunity to do it on Saturday or Sunday, so we have to wait until today."

Although Dunn has previously expressed an interest in returning to Blackburn, his hometown club where he made his name before a £5.5m transfer to Birmingham City, his St Andrew's manager Steve Bruce made it clear last week that he was reluctant to do business with Rovers.

"No way am I going to be hi-jacked, mollycoddled or hoodwinked into anything that is just going to suit David Dunn," Bruce said.