Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne (left) was in London last night hoping to put the final touches on a £2.5 million transfer from Everton to Wimbledon. The young Dubliner became a target for the first division outfit after manager Terry Burton accepted a £4 million bid from Ipswich for 26-year-old Hermann Hreidarsson.
After Everton boss Walter Smith informed Dunne that the club had accepted Wimbledon's offer, Dunne travelled to London to discuss personal terms. Confirmation of the player's move could come as early as this morning.
Dunne has reportedly been disappointed about how few opportunities he has had to play in his preferred central defensive role at Goodison Park, with Smith generally deploying him at right full. With Steve Howey arriving at the club from Newcastle last week, however, and Portuguese international Abel Xavier having had an outstanding time at Euro 2000 in the role, the chances of Dunne retaining his place were limited.
Ironically, Dunne's experience in the right back role could yet make him an obvious candidate to stand in for Kenny Cunningham should the move go through, as the Irish skipper is still laid up after a hernia operation.
Mick McCarthy yesterday conceded that Cunningham was highly unlikely to make it to Amsterdam for next month's World Cup qualifier, remarking that he was "very doubtful". He added that Burton, when they spoke on Saturday, was "very pessimistic" about the defender's chances of being ready.
"I think it's fair to say that Kenny's very doubtful, he hasn't even started back training yet and the game's only a little over two weeks away, but I'll have a word with him before completely ruling him out of things," said McCarthy.
Fears that Gary Breen could also miss the trip after injuring an ankle in Coventry's friendly with Ajax on Saturday seem unfounded. City manager Gordon Strachan indicated yesterday he hopes to play the Irishman this weekend against Middlesbrough.
Breen limped out of the Ajax match and hasn't trained since, but, with first choice Marc Edworthy out of action, Strachan intends to start with Breen at, of all things, right full.
