Cunningham set for Cup action - January 26, 2001
Irish international defender Kenny Cunningham, whose long awaited comeback from injury was put on ice earlier this week with the cancellation of a reserve match against Arsenal, has been handed a shock call-up to Wimbledon's first-team squad.
Boss Terry Burton has included Cunningham in his panel for the FA Cup trip to Meadow Lane to face Notts County.
"I won't start in the Cup, although the gaffer might sling me on the bench if he's stuck," a delighted Cunningham said. "If I don't play at all, I won't mind in the slightest as we've another reserve game next week."
The 29-year-old Dubliner has been training with the first team this week after being sidelined since a groin operation in the summer.
"It's been a long haul back. I'm fit to play again but I'll need five or six games for match sharpness," he said.
The surprise call-up has also prompted a rethink from Irish boss Mick McCarthy, who had ruled Cunningham out of his plans for next month's friendly against Denmark.
"The game might still be a little too soon for him, but we'll be watching with interest how things go over the next two or three weeks," McCarthy said.