Dunne poised to make long-awaited comeback

Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne is poised to return to training later this week after undergoing three operations this season.

Republic of Ireland international Dunne, who is out of contract at Villa this summer, has been sidelined all season by groin and hip problems.

Villa have sorely missed his experience at the heart of their defence, particularly during the absence of captain Ron Vlaar with a calf problem.

It has been a nightmare 12 months for 33-year-old Dunne who was also out injured for nearly three months with a shoulder problem before returning at the very end of last season.

Villa boss Paul Lambert said: “He’s not played much football for a year really. But the [latest] operation in America was successful and the main thing for everyone is to get him back fit.”

While Villa have struggled without Dunne, one player who is starting to mature is his Irish team-mate, Ciaran Clark.

Wolves and Ireland left-back Stephen Ward believes Clark will, like Dunne before him, become a key man for Giovanni Trapattoni.

“He is a great lad and a great player,” said Ward. “At the minute he is doing well for Villa and I am sure that if he keeps continuing like that he will be another bonus because you need as many players as possible fighting for those positions.”

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Galaxy striker Robbie Keane will train with Tottenham for the next two weeks, the London club have announced.

Keane enjoyed two spells totalling eight years at White Hart Lane before moving to Los Angeles two years ago.

Meanwhile, Ireland legend Kevin Kilbane says Trapattoni must turn to Shay Given and Anthony Pilkington to resurrect his team’s precarious World Cup qualification prospects.

The 110-times capped Kilbane, speaking yesterday at the launch of the Macron Galway Cup, has urged the Ireland boss to get the duo on board for the pivotal qualifier in Sweden on March 22. He said: “In my opinion Shay is still our best goalkeeper... I think Trapattoni should pick him and Shay has made it clear that that’s what he wants.”

Kilbane is also a big admirer of his former Huddersfield Town colleague Pilkington. “He is a really good finisher, can play up-front, out wide and he can play in the hole as well. He gives us some good options and is very good technically.”