Trap still hoping for ‘miracle’ return for Dunne

Giovanni Trapattoni has placed Richard Dunne on standby for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Germany and the Faroe Islands but the Republic of Ireland manager has admitted that it will be a “miracle” if the centre-half is fit in time.

Dunne has yet to play for club or country this season, after surgery for a groin injury, and will need to play some part in one of Aston Villa’s two scheduled games between now and the October 12 meeting with Joachim Loew’s side at Lansdowne Road.

Aston Villa’s game against West Bromwich Albion this Sunday will certainly come around too soon which will leave player and manager hoping against hope that he can feature at White Hart Lane against Tottenham seven days later.

“It is very difficult but we have added his name because obviously he can maybe play one game (for Aston Villa),” said Trapattoni yesterday. “I was in touch with him. He said he thinks it will be very, very difficult because in the last few days, the club’s doctor says it is very difficult.

“Richard said if he plays one game (for the club), maybe he will be available. I don’t think about him, but maybe miracles can happen. It’s better that we have the option, that’s why we’ve named him.”

Manchester United’s Robbie Brady joins Dunne on the inbetweeners list after his impressive debut against Oman at Craven Cottage last month while David Meyler, Alex Pearce and Joey O’Brien have been omitted despite their contributions in that same game.

Also absent is Darron Gibson who is injured and still “disappointed” about his lack of game time in Poland during the summer, according to Trapattoni, although Keith Andrews and Keith Fahey return after suspension and injury respectively.

Trapattoni also revealed that he had texted Damien Duff after the winger scored his third goal of the season at the weekend, in Fulham’s 2-1 away win against Wigan Athletic, but that any hopes of seeing something similar in a green jersey were unlikely.

“After the last game I said congratulations to him, ‘forget your disappointment you can decide to come back’. I said this in light humour. I said ‘Damien, now I think we need you’. He didn’t answer me. He could teach the younger players, play some of the time.”