Keane now a huge doubt as Delaney set to start in defence

Robbie Keane is a significant doubt for Ireland’s match away to Germany tonight through an ankle injury, with interim manager Noel King set to make a final decision on the captain early today.

The country’s leading scorer injured his ankle in training on Tuesday, and the knock has been of sufficient seriousness to warrant LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena contacting King to see if he should return to the United States.

The stand-in Irish boss rejected that, but will consult with the MLS club today to see if Keane taking a pain-killing injection is possible or necessary.