Dunne on standby for Ireland

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni is praying for a miracle after placing key defender Richard Dunne on standby for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Germany and the Faroe Islands.

The 33-year-old Aston Villa man is yet to kick a ball in anger this season as he recovers from a groin injury, and the Italian admits the chances of having one of his most reliable players available to him are slim.