Keane to return to LA later this month

Aston Villa have been unsuccessful in their attempt to extend Robbie Keane’s loan period and he will return to the Los Angeles Galaxy after the clash at Wigan on February 25.

Keane has made a big impression at Villa, scoring three goals in two league starts, and Villa were hoping he could remain with them for a further week.

But the Galaxy want Keane to return after playing at the DW Stadium to prepare for the new Major Soccer League season, which starts on March 10.

Keane will feature in Sunday’s Barclays Premier League meeting with Manchester City but Villa’s FA Cup exit means he will have a two-week wait before his final appearance against the Latics.

Meanwhile striker Leon Best’s hopes of making Ireland’s Euro 2012 squad ended yesterday after he was effectively ruled out for the rest of the season.

Best is unlikely to see anymore action this season following the knee injury he suffered in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa, after a scan confirmed medial ligament damage.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew said: “I think it will be very doubtful that we see him (again), and that’s a shame for us because he has been great.”

Best was still holding out hope he could have managed to make Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad for the European Championships, which kick off in June.

Pardew meanwhile has ruled himself out of taking any part in the managerial merry-go-round sparked by Fabio Capello’s resignation as England manager yesterday.

Pardew said: “I am very, very happy here at Newcastle. We are on a little project here that’s going really well and I want to see it through.”

Newcastle head for Tottenham tomorrow evening sitting in fifth place in the Barclays Premier League table and firmly in the race for fourth spot.

Pardew admits the trip to White Hart Lane will certainly be no easier for his side if Harry Redknapp’s players and the home side’s supporters plead with their manager to stay at Spurs.

He said: “It’s probably going to make it a little more difficult. The place will be buoyant. But we can only go and do the best job we can and hopefully cope with all that’s going on.”