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.