Source: SKY_Sports
McCarthy ready for Dunne reunion
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy will be hoping his reunion with Richard Dunne does not turn sour on Saturday after recommending the defender to Aston Villa.
The two Midlands foes meet at Molineux in the weekend's early kick-off, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1, and McCarthy is well aware of the ability of Villa's recent signing.
Villa boss Martin O'Neill consulted the Wolves manager before buying Dunne from Manchester City at the end of the summer transfer window.
Having managed Dunne when Republic of Ireland chief, McCarthy was full praise for the centre-back, but he will now aim to bring the new Villa hero's two-game scoring run to an end.
McCarthy said: "Dunney is a terrific player. He has been great for Ireland.
"I gave him his competitive debut against Holland in Amsterdam nine years ago and he was brilliant against Patrick Kluivert that night.
"He has had a really good career. He is solid. I am still not convinced that Manchester City have got in two better defenders than Richard Dunne.
"But I understand the need to change players around as well and get your own players in.
"I think he is one of the best defenders in the league. He put a lot of work into looking after himself. He is a top drawer player for me. I can't say any more about him.
"He is a fabulous signing for Villa. Martin O'Neill rang me up and I said exactly that. I said, 'take him tomorrow.'
"I even rang him (Dunne) and asked if he would come here. Whether we could have done it (I don't know) but I knew he was onto a club that might be pushing for Europe."
Wolves striker Chris Iwelumo could taste his first senior action of the season against Villa.
Iwelumo has been sidelined for six months with knee ligament damage and then a broken foot, but came through a midweek reserve game unscathed.
McCarthy added: "Chris will be in the squad. He was due back later than now, he has done well. He did really well in the reserves. It is great to have him back."
