Shoulder injury leaves Dunne dusted for eight weeks

Giovanni Trapattoni will hope Richard Dunne’s recovery goes according to plan following confirmation that the rock of the Republic of Ireland defence could be out for up to two months after he fractured a collarbone in Aston Villa’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.

Dunne was undergoing surgery in Birmingham yesterday, after sustaining the injury when he fell heavily on his right shoulder while challenging City keeper Joe Hart for a high ball in the dying moments of the game at Villa Park.

After the FAI had revealed the nature of the injury, Aston Villa confirmed it in a statement, saying: “Richard Dunne sustained a fracture to his right clavicle in the game against Manchester City. He will undergo an operation today in Birmingham. It is anticipated that he will be sidelined for up to eight weeks.”