As Aston Villa’s young side celebrated an astonishing 6 – 1 win over Sunderland to keep their survival hopes alive, there were a few positives from an Ireland perspective.

Ciaran Clark has shown remarkable resilience as the young leader of a back four, which will be of benefit to his Ireland development.

While things look brighter for the 23-year-old and his team-mates, it is a dark time for Richard Dunne.

The 33-year-old’s body has sustained a number of knocks and injuries over the past few years. But his current hip and groin affliction has meant that he has yet to play this season in any competition for club or country and has already been ruled out for the remainder of this season.

It is quite possible that Dunne is still suffering as a result of returning from injury for Euro 2012 as well as the strains of playing in high-intensity tournament which is harder to recover from for players in their 30s who often have to manage their conditions more carefully.

His club manager Paul Lambert, who has been unable to make use of his services, has insisted that it is not a career ending injury. But it would be hard to envisage him returning for Ireland or Villa, considering the fact that his contract expires in June.

With Dunne turning 34 in September, and no return date in sight, the former Manchester City defender is in real danger of being left without a club come next season.

Echoing Paul McGrath against Italy in 1994, his unforgettable appearance as a human shield in Moscow on the road to Euro 2012 qualification still lingers in the memory as does his commitment and leadership at the back since the likes of Kenny Cunningham, Gary Breen and Steve Staunton retired.

But sadly, it seems the Boys in Green will likely to have to move on, even with the lack of depth at centre-back.

Even if Dunne manages to overcome this unfortunate injury and find a club (he has been linked to MLS clubs like New York Red Bulls), it would be unfair to put an extra strain on him by making him play at both club and international level with the risk that he could break down.

This is especially acute as 2014 is likely to be a transitional year for Ireland as Trap departs and the last remnants of the old guard call it a day.

Trap’s successor is likely to focus on emerging players which means Dunne is unlikely to return. 

©INPHO/Donall Farmer