To Saipan and back in 563 days

ROY Keane could be back in the green of Ireland by the end of the month after he sensationally announced his return to international football.

It is expected he will be included in the squad for the friendly international away to Poland on April 28.

Keane has not played for Ireland since his highly-publicised row with former manager Mick McCarthy shortly before the start of the 2002 World Cup finals. The 32-year-old, who has won 58 caps, announced his retirement from international football after the fiasco in Saipan.

However, Kerr took over from McCarthy at the end of that year and kept in contact with Keane, culminating in the player declaring his intention to play for Ireland again.

Keane who always said he has some unfinished business in international football issued a brief statement yesterday through his solicitor.

The announcement was welcomed by Brian Kerr:

"I am glad that one of the greatest players ever to play for Ireland has chosen this path. It cannot have been an easy decision for him but his desire to represent his country is immense."

Two months ago, Keane strongly hinted he would return to the fold when he said he missed international football, and had "unfinished business" with the team.

Speculation on his future at Manchester United is now sure to increase, and the spotlight will turn to Keane's stated wish to move to Glasgow Celtic for the final years of his career.

FAI chief executive, Fran Rooney, also welcomed Keane's return: "Roy's decision to return is evidence of the new professionalism within the FAI and of Brian Kerr's professional approach within the squad."

Ireland face Poland and Romania in friendlies before qualification for the World Cup kicks off in September.

United manager Alex Ferguson gave Keane's decision to return to the international fold his full backing.

"I'm pleased for Roy. He's made a good decision for all parties concerned," he said.

After Keane's withdrawal from the squad in 2002, Ferguson was instrumental in persuading him not to return to international football because of the risk of injury, but this no longer seemed to be an issue.

"In this case I would say it is a very good decision for Roy and I support it 100%," the Scot added.

Former Ireland international and ex-Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton said some players will be unhappy with the decision, but he believes they will come round.

"I think the timing is strange, there are no World Cup qualifiers until September, but after watching them recently against Brazil and the Czech Republic he's maybe seen it's the thing he's been missing," he said.

"Maybe he's let them down in the past and has something to prove. He's got considerable experience and they've been missing that.

"The players have got to be big enough to understand the decision and got to put dislikes behind them.

"He's doing it for the good of the country."