Cracked ribs rule Keane out of World Cup qualifiers

ROY KEANE is out of the Republic of Ireland’s first two World Cup qualifiers with cracked ribs.

The influential Man Utd midfielder will be out of action for at least three weeks, and will miss Ireland’s opening Group 4 ties at home to Cyprus on Saturday week and away to Switzerland the following Wednesday.

With Charlton’s Matt Holland also struggling with injury, Republic manager Brian Kerr is facing a central midfield dilemma, but he was unaware of the problem when he spoke at an FAI function in Dublin yesterday.

However, United boss Alex Ferguson admitted in advance of last night’s Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Bucharest: “He has been in a bit of pain the last two or three games and it is too big a risk to play him now. We took him for a scan and it (the injury) was much more pronounced than before. If he took a bang in a game he could puncture a lung and that could put him out for months.”

Keane joins Ruud van Nistelrooy, Louis Saha and Wes Brown on United’s injury list with Ferguson’s early season problems compounded by the absence of Rio Ferdinand, suspended until September 20, and new signing Gabriel Heinze, who is on Olympic duty in Athens with Argentina.

Meanwhile, United also confirmed last night they have made a bid for Everton striker Wayne Rooney. The offer is believed to be £20m, which would match Newcastle’s bid for the 18-year-old England striker. United are waiting for a response from their Premiership rivals.

A club spokesman said last night: “I can confirm we have made an official bid for Wayne Rooney and we have not had a response yet.”

Ferguson added “We’ve made a bid. He’s a fabulous player, he showed that at Euro 2004, and is a young player. He’s not the finished article yet, but we’ve got experience of bringing young players to the club and bringing them on.”

Everton have rejected the bid after doing likewise with Newcastle’s offer of the same amount. The news may now prompt Newcastle to up their current offer of £20m for Rooney.

Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd had said earlier yesterday he was willing to let time wind down as the closure of the transfer window approaches. “We have made our offer to Everton Football Club and it is still on the table as far as we are concerned. There is still plenty of time before the transfer window closes and Everton can pick up our offer any time they want to.”

Shepherd has proved himself a tough negotiator in the recent past, although he may need all his powers of persuasion this time around if he is to prise 18-year-old Rooney away from the Toffees - particularly with United’s interest now confirmed.

Everton insisted yesterday that there had been no increased bid for the player and manager David Moyes is adamant no club will get him at a reduced price, if at all.

“We don’t want to lose Wayne, but if we do, the only way is at the top price and the value we want,” he said. “I would like to quote Bobby Robson’s words: ‘You’re talking about buying the most exciting, brilliant young player in Europe’. If that is what Bobby thinks, then he’s got to pay the most exciting and brilliant price because his current valuation is well short. Didier Drogba went to Chelsea for £24m, so Wayne’s price should be well more than that. He’s English and, if you want to buy English, you have to pay a higher premium.”