Injured Dunne facing layoff as he contemplates Ireland future

Richard Dunne looks certain to miss Ireland’s opening World Cup 2014 qualifier against Kazakhstan on September 7 — presuming, of course, he opts to continue his international career.

Aston Villa yesterday revealed Dunne will be out of action for six to eight weeks with a groin injury he sustained during Ireland’s ill-fated Euro 2012 campaign, a setback Villa suggested was not properly treated at the finals.

A statement on Villa’s website read: “Richard Dunne will also be out of action for six to eight weeks, having undergone a procedure on a groin injury which he sustained and was not dealt with during the European Championship.’’

However the FAI hit back last night, insisting Dunne had received “the highest level of medical care’’ in Poland.

An FAI statement read: “Richard Dunne received the highest level of medical care during his time with the Republic of Ireland team.

“All of the medical treatment he received was carried out in full and regular contact and with the full consent and agreement of the Aston Villa medical team and so we are very surprised by these suggestions.”

Dunne should be back in action by the time Ireland’s second qualifier comes around in October, the glamour home tie with Germany but whether he’ll be available for selection is unclear.

Last week the 32-year-old revealed he is pondering his international future.

“It has crossed my mind a few times,’’ he said. “It’s a hard decision, because it [playing for Ireland] is something I love doing. I’ve already spent four weeks thinking about it and still can’t decide.’’

Villa, who also confirmed Gabriel Agbonlahor will to miss the start of the season due to a medial ligament injury, were busy in the transfer market yesterday selling Dunne’s regular centre half partner James Collins to West Ham and signing Dutch international Ron Vlaar from Feyenoord for a fee understood to be around £3 million (€3.8m).

Vlaar is hoping to emulate the achievements of former Aston Villa and Ireland great Paul McGrath.

Vlaar said: “I am looking forward to following in the footsteps of players such as Paul McGrath, Olof Mellberg and Martin Laursen — all of them great players for this club.

“But I also do things for myself because I want to get the very best out of myself.’’

Former Ireland defender Andy O’Brien, meanwhile, has joined Major League Soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps, after leaving Leeds United by mutual consent. The 33-year-old, capped 26 times for Ireland between 2001 and 2006, said: “I’m very grateful for the opportunity given to me . I’ve had the opportunity to look around Vancouver, which is fantastic, and I’m really looking forward to contributing on and off the pitch.”