Keane ordered to rest injured ankle

Doubts surround the fitness of Ireland striker Robbie Keane after it emerged the captain shipped a heavy knock to his ankle in Tuesday’s training session, which required a scan yesterday.

Interim Ireland manager Noel King had intended deploying Ireland’s record scorer in a sole attacking role in Cologne tomorrow but now may be forced to reconsider his options.

Alan Kelly, Ireland’s goalkeeper coach, was non-committal on the veteran winning his 130th tomorrow.

“Robbie didn’t train today and the medical people are dealing with it,” explained Kelly following yesterday’s final Dublin-staged workout.

“He trained on Tuesday and got a kick. He had a precautionary scan on it and is resting. We will assess it as we go on. It’s one of those things I think. Travelling over from America and playing so soon after Sunday’s [MLS] game, they [the medical team] will manage that as they see fit.”

Meanwhile, King has refused LA Galaxy’s request to release Keane from the second part of the double-header against Kazakhstan next Tuesday.

Galaxy coach Bruce Arena had wanted Keane and clubmate Landon Donovan back in tip-top condition for the MLS fixture against Montreal 24 hours later.

A statement from the FAI read: “Noel King has responded to the manager of LA Galaxy, Bruce Arena, to inform him that he has decided not to release Robbie Keane and trusts that he understands the position, having been an international manager himself.”

Before assembling with the Ireland squad on Tuesday, Keane had said: “It’s got nothing to do with me. As far as I’m concerned, I’m going to play for my country, and that’s it.”

Arena, however, then publicly insisted Keane and US attackerDonovan could “possibly” return for the Montreal tie, before King finally mothballed the idea yesterday.