Keane in the running for Leicester job

FORMER Ireland and Manchester United star Roy Keane is battling to make his return to management with ambitious Championship club Leicester City.

Keane has been placed on a three-man shortlist to take over at the King Power Stadium and it is understood he was interviewed for the post on Tuesday. Lee Clark, the Huddersfield manager, and ex-Nottingham Forest and Derby chief Billy Davies are also believed to be in contention after Martin O’Neill, the original No. 1 target, made it clear he did not want to be considered.

But Keane, who departed Ipswich in January this year, is a surprise contender after bookies in the East Midlands slashed his odds from 14-1 to 3-1 in a matter of hours.

Leicester have already spent over £10million this season in an attempt to reach the Premier League, with the club’s Thai owners dispensing with Sven Goran Eriksson after just 13 games after the former England coach failed to meet their vast expectations.

And Keane, 40, will be assured of substantial funds in the January transfer window if he makes his return to the front line at the Foxes.

Reports have also suggested that O’Neill recommended Keane for the post.

O’Neill, who has been out of work himself since last August after quitting Aston Villa, was approached for the role last week but had too many reservations.

He is keen to operate in the Premier League and also feared tarnishing his reputation at Leicester, following his glittering five-year spell in the 1990s when he lifted two Carling Cups.

And it is believed O’Neill told Leicester’s owners that Keane would be a decent appointment in their bid to reach the promised land.