Man of steel Dunne ready for action

Richard Dunne has been given the green light to resume playing, and Aston Villa are willing to go the extra mile to ensure he’s match fit for the European Championship finals.

That was the good news from the man himself yesterday, as the defender spoke at length in Dublin about hisrecovery from the broken collarbone sustained while playing for Villa against Manchester City back in February. As a result of surgery, Ireland’s man of steel now actually has some in his shoulder, a plate which will either remain there permanently or be removed when he has retired from the game.

“I was told straight away when it happened what it was and what would happen,” he said, recalling the immediate aftermath of the heavy fall he suffered when challenging Joe Hart for an aerial ball nearly three months ago. “I went into the dressing room and there was actually a surgeon at the game who came down and had a quick look. He said I’d have to get anoperation. He explained that in six weeks I could do this, and in nine weeks time I could do that, and in 12 weeks time I could play. And it’s been perfect. When I saw him last week he said, ‘that’s it, go ahead’.