The Manchester City captain suffered a broken foot while attempting to restrain his team-mate Joey Barton who had become involved in a bar-room fight during the clubs pre-season tour of the Far East. Dunne, who also had one of his fingers bitten by his brainless team-mate, is expected to have his foot in plaster for the next six weeks.
City manager Stuart Pearce has fined Barton eight weeks wages and is believed to be trying to offload the troublesome player but was full of praise for Dunne.
“Richard’s behaviour was exemplary and it is terrible news for this club that he picked up an injury in the incident.” said Pearce.
This will come as little consolation to Dunne who is said to be distraught by this injury setback after he had brought forward minor surgery on his ankles to be fully fit for club and country in the coming season.