Dunne faces lifestyle change to get career on track

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor has warned Richard Dunne he faces a 24-hour lifestyle change to get his career back on track.

The Manchester City defender has been fined an estimated £20,000 and been forced to undertake a specialist training programme after falling foul of manager Kevin Keegan’s disciplinary code.

Dunne has returned to training but Keegan must decide whether he will be included in his squad to face West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday, even though he had initially suggested he would be banned from all club activities for two weeks.

Taylor accompanied Dunne into a meeting with Keegan and other senior club officials this morning and admitted there were genuine fears that the Irish international’s contract would be terminated.

However, that threat has now been withdrawn, leaving Dunne to make some radical alterations to his approach to the game.

‘‘We wanted to give the lad a chance and it is down to him now,’’ said Taylor.

‘‘There are proven support systems in place to help him get over his problems and get his career back on track.

‘‘The course he will undergo is essentially a lifestyle switch and is something we try to impress on all young players.

‘‘Being a football player is not just about what you do on the pitch or the training ground, it is just as much about what you do away from it. It is important you look at how you fill your time. It is a 24-hour programme to try and enable people to make the most of their abilities.’’

Both Taylor and City have been impressed by Dunne’s approach to his problems.

After an early setback, he seemed to have come through Keegan’s avowed intention to rid the club of a perceived drinking culture.

He was persuaded by his manager to relocate from Merseyside, something he had not done immediately after his £3 million move from Everton and only last week Keegan spoke warmly of Dunne’s positive approach to the game, even though he has not enjoyed the best of seasons.

The arrival of Chinese defender Sun Jihai dumped Dunne onto the City bench and, as a result, he also lost his place in the Republic of Ireland international squad.

‘‘So far his training has been excellent, his attitude excellent and his time-keeping excellent,’’ said Keegan last week.

An injury to veteran Steve Howey meant Dunne would almost certainly have made his first start of the season against Blackburn on Sunday. However, having turned up for training 24 hours later in what was described as a ‘dishevelled state’, Dunne was immediately sent home.

‘‘Richard Dunne has accepted the seriousness of the situation having had similar disciplinary problems in the past,’’ said a club statement.

‘‘The club and the PFA will assist Richard during this training period and help him work towards the goals he has set himself.’’