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Aston Villa's forgotten man Richard Dunne will this week be told to look for a new club after missing the whole of last season through injury.

Dunne has been unable to kick a ball competitively for the claret and blues since the final day of the previous campaign over a year ago and his contract will not be renewed when it expires next month.

Manager Paul Lambert has previously kept the door open for Dunne to return to action to give the defender time to recover from groin trouble.

But it has been decided to allow the experienced Ireland international to leave on a free when his four-year deal at the club comes to an end in late June.

Dunne has been unable to turn out for Villa this season after sustaining the injury on Euro 2012 duty last summer.

He did take part in Villa’s pre-season tour of the U.S. last summer, but pulled out after cameos in two friendlies when it became too painful to continue.

The 33-year-old centre-half had an operation on the problem area last August and has regularly visited specialists, including a trip to see an expert in the States.

But after seemingly making progress, Dunne has suffered several setbacks and has failed to reach a level of fitness to make him available for selection.

He has been among Villa’s top earners since signing from Manchester City in August 2009, and at a time when Villa are managing their wagebill carefully does not fit Lambert’s preference for up-and-coming players.

Darren Bent, Stephen Ireland and Shay Given are set to have talks about their futures at the club during the next few days, while Alan Hutton will be spoken to when his loan at Mallorca finishes in a fortnight, as the manager steps up his plans for next season.

Villa have now finalised their pre-season programme by confirming a showpiece friendly against La Liga club and this season’s Champions League quarter-finalists Malaga at Villa Park at 3pm on Saturday, August 10.