BOTH ASTON VILLA and the Ireland team received a boost today, with the news that influential centre-back Richard Dunne has returned to training following an extensive absence through injury.
Dunne has been out for five months, owing to a knock he picked up while on Ireland duty at Euro 2012.
Yet despite the defender being fit enough to train, Villa boss Paul Lambert told reporters that it would still be a while before his player returns to full first-team action.
“Richard is back in training and it’s his first time since the European Championships really.
“Will he be back soon? I’m not sure really because he’s got to get up to speed with training and get some games under his belt.
“He’s still a wee bit away.”
The defender underwent two operations during his recovery, and is confident that the latest one has been a success.
“The last operation I had seems to have really worked,” he said.
“I’ve been lucky not to have too many injuries during my career but it’s been several months where I’ve not been fit.”
