Shay Given Given eyes quick return for Richard Dunne

Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given hopes Richard Dunne will return to action before the end of the season.

The former Manchester City centre-back suffered a fractured collar bone in the 1-0 loss against his old side in the last month.

There has been talk in the media claiming that the injury could keep the 32-year-old out of this summer's European Championships in Poland and Ukraine, but Given has played down those rumours and insisted that Dunne is making good progress.

"He still has a sling, but everything is going to plan," Given told the Express and Star.

"He seemed in pretty good form when I spoke to him a few weeks ago or so.

"Hopefully we can get him back fit before the end of the season, because ideally you want him playing a few games before the summer, with such a big summer coming up."

Given joined Aston Villa from Manchester City last summer.