Dunne ready to face Poland

Richard Dunne will play for the Republic of Ireland in tonight's friendly against Poland in Dublin, it has been confirmed.

The Manchester City defender returned to England yesterday to be with his pregnant wife.

But the Football Association of Ireland announced this afternoon on their official website that Dunne is back in Dublin and ready to play at Croke Park.

Had Dunne been unavailable, manager Giovanni Trapattoni would have needed to draw up a contingency plan.

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