A Dunne deal for new boss Hughes

9:57am Saturday 5th July 2008

THE Tyne-Wear battle for Richard Dunne ended in disappointment for both Sunderland and Newcastle United yesterday, when the Irishman signed a new four-year contract at Manchester City.

Both Roy Keane and Kevin Keegan had hoped to lure the powerful defender to the North-East this summer, but new City boss Mark Hughes has convinced him to stay.

The 28-year-old's previous contract was due to expire at the end of next season and Keane had pinpointed the Blues captain as the ideal man to provide experience at the heart of his defence.

And now, with the chances of him signing Jonny Evans on a permanent basis from Manchester United slim, the Sunderland boss is having to look at his options.

Dunne said: "When Mark Hughes got the job, I think everyone was really pleased and I was thrilled that he seemed to make it a priority to sort my contract out. I'm delighted to be able to stay."

Keane is determined to add to his defensive options before Liverpool visit the Stadium of Light on August 16 and an experienced centre-back is high on his list of priorities.

He will hope that young Frenchman Jean-Yves M'voto graduates from the reserves to compete for a first-team place with Nyron Nosworthy, Paul McShane and Danny Higginbotham.

But Keane knows that a player proven at the highest level has to be in his thinking as he has already lost Evans, whose loan has expired.

Andrew Cole, meanwhile, is understood to have secured a £25,000-a-week contract at Nottingham Forest.

Cole, released by Keane at the end of the season after failing to make an impact, was also wanted by Burnley, where he scored six times in 13 appearances on loan.

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