Dunne’s ‘terrific’

WOLVES manager Mick McCarthy is hoping Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne will not come back to haunt him tomorrow after recommending the defender to Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill.

O’Neill consulted McCarthy when it became clear that Dunne’s days at Manchester City were numbered following the signing of Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott.

Now he will be looking to score for the third successive game when Villa take on Wolves at Molineux.

Former Ireland boss McCarthy said: “Dunney is a terrific player. He has been great for Ireland.

“I gave him his competitive debut against Holland in Amsterdam nine years ago and he was brilliant against Patrick Kluivert that night.

“He has had a really good career. He is solid. I am still not convinced that Manchester City have got in two better defenders than Richard Dunne.

“I think he is one of the best defenders in the league.

“He is a fabulous signing for Villa. Martin O’Neill rang me up and I said exactly that. I said ‘Take him tomorrow.’

“I even rang him (Dunne) and asked if he would come here. Whether we could have done it (I don’t know) but I knew he was onto a club that might be pushing for Europe.”