Dunne vows to learn harsh lessons

RICHARD DUNNE, whose early football career was pock-marked with erratic off-pitch behaviour, knows how to turn a situation around.

The Dubliner was almost fired by then Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan for a series of disciplinary incidents after a move from Everton but Dunne knuckled down and bounced back to become a much-respected club captain before his move to Aston Villa this summer.

Now the centre-half, who has yet to appear at a major international tournament, says he and his team-mates can navigate this latest detour on the road to South Africa.