Aston Villa hopeful Dunne will stay put

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has told defender Richard Dunne that he will have the opportunity to extend his contract at Villa Park, as long as he keeps fit and shows he is able to play in the first team.

So far this year, injuries have blighted the 33-year-old's season and forced Paul Lambert to play other younger and inexperienced players.


"It is not a case of running out of time. I know what the guy can do. It is not as if he is 19 or 20 years old and has to impress. I have an open mind but the main thing for me is that he is going to be fit again," Lambert said.


"We will have to wait and see what the surgeon has said about the injury. I am pretty sure that he will not require another operation.


"The advice that Richard has been given is that he will just have to battle through the problem. I will have a rough idea of what will happen after what the surgeon has been saying to Richard.


"The surgeon expected this to happen and the advice was to go back and see him again if it did. First and foremost the main thing is to get the guy back to fitness. 


"That is the big thing for me. There is nothing in my mind other than getting that lad fit."