Fergie hoping Keane can see out remainder of his contract

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Alex Ferguson doesn't expect Roy Keane's international retirement to prolong his career but at least the Corkman should now see out the remainder of his four-year Old Trafford contract.

Keane announced this week that he was turning his back on a Republic return on medical advice, angering new Ireland chief Brian Kerr, who thought the 31-year-old would make himself available again after his summer World Cup walkout.

Old Trafford officials moved quickly in a doomed bid to absolve Ferguson of any blame for the decision, insisting the long-standing hip problem which required surgery at the start of the season had threatened Keane's entire career.