Ireland, who made his 1st league start of the season at Everton, gave his country an 8th-minute lead in their Euro 2008 qualifier against Cyprus on Saturday with his 1st international goal.
Dunne then headed home from a corner just before half-time to equalise after Cyprus had gone 2-1 up, but Cyprus hit three second-half goals to condemn the Irish to a 5-2 defeat.
The visitors' agony was compounded by a late red card for Dunney after the City skipper was shown a second yellow card.
Dunne has therefore returned to the City squad as he is suspended for Wednesday's home qualifier against the Czech Republic, but Ireland's return is down to the young midfielder picking up a hamstring injury.
"It looks as though we have lost Stephen Ireland to a hamstring problem, so that's something we have to look at when he returns from
"The good news for us, although it's not for him or the Republic, is that Richard Dunne being sent off on Saturday enables us to have him back a bit earlier, and he'll be training with us today (Tuesday).
"It's better for me, and although I'm disappointed for Richard and Stephen that they can't play in