DONS BOSS COY ON STAR DEVOY

MK DONS boss Liam Manning says he must act with “integrity and respect” as he tries to lure Dawson Devoy from Bohemians.

His departure would be another hammer blow to the Gypsies whose squad was decimated further last night when Andy Lyons agreed to join arch rivals Shamrock Rovers.

Lyons (inset) had been tracked by clubs in England, including Crewe and Shrewsbury, but compensation for the Ireland Under-21 international proved an issue.

Instead, the Hoops swooped for the 21-year-old free agent who will sign over the weekend after four years at Dalymount Park.

The Gypsies will be due compensation from the league champions.

Bohs - who have signed Cheltenham Town defender Grant Horton, 20, on loan are also resigned to losing ace midfielder Devoy to League One promotion hopefuls MK Dons.

Quizzed on Devoy, Manning said yesterday: “I’m not speculating on other people’s players and it’s important to operate with a level of integrity and respect. He’s attached to another club so it’s not right to comment or commit one way or another.

“But I think we’re looking at three or four signings, possibly plus a loan.”

Devoy (above), one of the rising stars of the League, only signed a new Gypsies deal in December.

But there is a release clause in that contract and Dons are expected to trigger it after selling Matt O’riley to Celtic.

Devoy, 20, is the reigning PFAI Young Player of the Year after a standout year for Bohs who reached the FAI Cup final.

But that team has been obliterated with Georgie Kelly poised to leave the league while Ross Tierney, Rob Cornwall, Keith Ward and Anto Breslin have already moved clubs.

Former captain Keith Buckley has gone to Australia while fringe men Stephen Mcguinness and Bastien Hery have also signed elsewhere.