Clarets defender in ‘no-brainer’ move to Cats
Football writer
JIMMY Dunne has joined Sunderland on loan from Burnley until the end of the season, describing the move as a “no-brainer”.
Dunne could go straight into the Sunderland squad on Saturday to play League One promotion rivals Luton Town at the Stadium of Light, although he will have his work cut out to displace regular centre-back pairing Tom Flanagan and Jack Baldwin.
Taking the number 30 shirt at the Stadium of Light, the Ireland under-21 international said of the temporary move: “I’m very excited to be here. I’m looking to step up and keep developing my game, so this is a good place for me to do that.
“The lads here have been on a good run and I’ve been lucky to be in a team where we’ve been winning as well, so long may both continue.
“I didn’t have anything to think about – there were 46,000 people here on Boxing Day and that just grabs you.
“It’s a massive club and it was a no-brainer for me.” Dunne will provide welcome cover at the back for the Black Cats, who have relied too much on Baldwin and Flanagan this season.
Indeed, when one has been missing it’s been noticeable – in particular at Portsmouth in December when Glenn Loovens struggled before being sent off, and Alim Ozturk then failed to cover himself in glory after that.
Dunne spent the first half of the season at Hearts in the Scottish Premier League but will now spend the remainder of the campaign on Wearside.