Dunne heads back to England

19th November 2008

Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne headed back to England on Tuesday night after his wife went into labour.

The 29-year-old Manchester City player, who only joined up with the squad after Sunday's 2-2 Barclays Premier League draw with Hull, was named in the starting line-up for Wednesday's friendly clash with Poland by manager Giovanni Trapattoni.

However, he was allowed to leave Ireland's Portmarnock base to be with his wife.

He has yet to be officially ruled out of the match but Trapattoni will have to draw up a contingency plan in case he does not return.

Ipswich's Alex Bruce is also in the squad, while Paul McShane, currently on loan at Hull from Sunderland, is an option.

McShane is a central defender by trade, but has played much of his recent football at both club and international level at right-back.