It was McCarthy who recommended the defender to Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill whose side travel to Molineux on Saturday.

O'Neill consulted McCarthy when it became clear that Dunne's days at Manchester City were numbered following the signing of Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott.

Now he will be looking to score for the third successive match when Villa take on Wolves this weekend.

good career

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 is a fabulous signing for Villa. Martin O'Neill rang me up and I said exactly that. I said `Take him tomorrow."