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.

Meanwhile the Manchester United skipper will tell the English Football Association this week that he plans to contest the disrepute charges which have been levelled over his controversial autobiography.

Although official documents have not yet been lodged at the FA's headquarters at Soho Square, it is understood the paperwork will be handed in some time this week, in plenty of time to beat the September 18 deadline.

It is believed Keane's defence will centre around the Irishman's right to freedom of speech and also that his remarks were incorrectly paraphrased by Eamon Dunphy.

The 31-year-old former Republic of Ireland captain is currently recovering from a hip operation but would have been set to start a three-match ban at the weekend following his recent dismissal against Sunderland.

The Red Devils are to hold a meeting of all staff including manager Sir Alex Ferguson to "discourage" them from going into print before their careers have come to an end.

It is also believed the new edict will include newspaper columns, although this could prove harder to enforce.

The whole Keane issue will be discussed at United's plc board meeting later this month.