Keane poised to join Villa as assistant to Lambert

Roy Keane, who turned up at Cork City’s match last night, is set to be appointed Aston Villa’s assistant manager next week after Ireland boss Martin O’Neill agreed to allow his sidekick job-share.

Although Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney appeared to rule out Keane fulfilling a double-job role in April, they are powerless to stop the Corkman’s desire to accept an offer from Villa boss Paul Lambert.

Keane’s move to Villa in time for pre-season training on Monday week won’t detract from his commitments with Ireland during international get-togethers. It will, however, put the brakes on his intensive scouting missions for O’Neill.