Keane will return for Ireland, says Irwin

DENIS IRWIN has predicted a return to international football for Roy Keane.

Irwin is confident that newly-appointed Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr will persuade the former skipper to make his comeback.

"I can see Keaney playing again for Ireland," said Irwin yesterday. "I hope he does but the decision is his and he has had plenty of time to think things over.

"He will know that Brian will want to come over and talk to him but I think he'll play for Ireland again - especially after what happened last Summer," the Wolves defender added.

The issue of Keane's return will inevitably occupy centre stage today in Dublin as Kerr announces his first squad to play Scotland on February 12.

However, it is extremely unlikely that theformer skipper will be in the squad. "I don't do friendlies" Keane announced last Summer, but Kerr will be asked whether or not he has discussed the future with him.

Kerr has struggled with a recurring problem when he had to hunt replacements for several regular Irish squad members while drawing up his list for the game in Glasgow.

Kerr's first attempt at naming a squad was complicated by injuries to Damien Duff, Robbie Keane, Glen Crowe and Rory Delap and he will be fortunate, indeed, if he does not lose others after the weekend matches.

The important news, however, is that Kerr is expected to stick closely to the squad who regularly figured on the selections of the previous manager, Mick McCarthy. It is certain that, for now, there will not be major changes. This is not to suggest that Kerr will not introduce a number of newcomers for the visit to Scotland for he is a great believer in exposing players of potential to a bigger challenge.

Players like Colin Healy, whose £375,000 transfer to Leeds fell through, and Richie Partridge are likely to find regular places in his squads, while John O'Shea is virtually guaranteed a place in the team. Kerr has steadfastly avoided discussing his plans this week while checking on the fitness of Ireland's regular internationals. And there will inevitably be a surprise or two when he releases his first squad of 22 players in Dublin today.

There will be no place, however, for one of his favourite players, Damien Duff. The skilful winger limped out of Blackburn's recent Worthington Cup match against Manchester United and the worry now is that he may not be fit before Ireland resume their European campaign in March.

Robbie Keane was forced out of the Spurs midweek match against Newcastle and was yesterday undergoing a scan on his damaged ankle. Clearly his availability is in doubt but Kerr will not mind if he, like Duff, is recovered for the championship games.

Rory Delap missed Southampton's match at Sunderland this week because of a groin strain and is also doubtful. Delap was not in the squad that travelled for the World Cup but he has been a regular in the Southampton team this season and his versatility is a useful option for Kerr.

Certain to figure in Kerr's squad are Stephen Carr (Spurs) and Steven Reid (Millwall) who might very well form the right wing of Ireland's team against Scotland. Carr was prevented from travelling to the World Cup by an injury and while Reid saw a limited amount of action in Japan, his season was disrupted by injury on his return.

Colin Healy was so good in the pre-World Cup friendlies that he cannot be ignored for a match like this and Partridge has blossomed since he went to Coventry City on loan. His opportunities were very limited at Liverpool.

But the proximity of championships matches in Georgia and Albania means Kerr cannot afford to experiment too much. When he names his squad to play in his next friendly match after the two championship games against Norway in Dublin on April 30 the future picture should be a lot clearer.