FAI dismiss Keane comeback talks

THE Football Association of Ireland have refuted suggestions that moves were afoot to coax Roy Keane back into the Irish international team.

The association dismissed reports that FAI treasurer, John Delaney, was holding secret talks with Micheal Kennedy, Keane's agent, in a move to bring the Manchester United skipper back into the side in the wake of the Republic's 4-2 European Championship qualifier defeat at the hands of Russia.

Following Ireland's rudderless performance in Moscow, there is renewed public clamour to have Keane back in the Irish team. However, as Mick McCarthy reminded reporters on Sunday, Keane has just left hospital after hip surgery, so he would have been unavailable for selection against Russia, anyway.