Richard Dunne was yesterday officially told by Everton that his proposed move to Wimbledon is off. The 20-year-old Dubliner turned up at the club yesterday and was immediately told he could have the day off following his involvement at the weekend in the Republic's World Cup qualifying match.

With Richard Gough's career in jeopardy due to injury, however, the defender was told manager Walter Smith had reversed the decision to accept a £2.5 million offer from Wimbledon.

The Irishman now hopes to talk with Smith as soon as possible after this evening's game against Tottenham about his chances of playing first-team football in his preferred central-defensive role but with Davie Weir also currently injured he could be in line for a place in the club's staring line-up when he completes a five-match suspension.