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.