Dunne considering international future

Richard Dunne is considering his international future with the Republic of Ireland and has asked Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert for advice.

Dunne was part of the Republic’s Euro 2012 campaign in which they failed to qualify from their group for the knockout stages in Poland and Ukraine.

Now the Villa centre-back admits he has a hard decision to make in the next few weeks.

When asked if he had considered retiring, Dunne said: “Yes, it has crossed my mind a few times. It’s easy after a tournament, the way it has gone, to make a rash decision and say ’that’s it’.

“But I just have to think about things. I was basically waiting to get back into training with Villa and then have a think, see how I feel.

“It’s a hard decision, because it (playing for Ireland) is something I love doing, and I had a chat with Paul Lambert about it and asked him about it.

“He said it has to be down to me because if I’m not happy with the decision and I regret it, then it’s no good. I’ve already spent four weeks thinking about it and still can’t decide.”

Lambert, meanwhile, looks to have finally sealed a deal to sign Dutch international defender Ron Vlaar, after agreeing personal terms with the player.

Villa say that, subject to medical clearance, a deal will be concluded with Eredivisie runners-up Feyenoord for Vlaar next week.

The 27-year-old centre-half will undergo a medical next week in Birmingham before a potential three-year deal can be formalised.

Vlaar is primarily regarded as a centre-back and will provide competition for James Collins — reported to be a target for his previous club West Ham — and Dunne.

He made his breakthrough at senior level in Holland with AZ Alkmaar before moving to Feyenoord in 2006.

Lambert has already recruited right-back Matthew Lowton from Sheffield United as he looks to bolster his defensive options for the new campaign.