Soccer: Keane's chances improve

Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has admitted Portugal defender Fernando Couto's international suspension imposed today by FIFA is a boost for

his side ahead of Saturday's crucial World Cup qualifier here.

And McCarthy had no sympathy for the 31-year-old Lazio star, who was already

banned from Italian club football after a second positive test showed up illegal

degrees of nandrolone in his body.

FIFA have followed up and barred Couto from all international football

indefinitely and McCarthy said: ``I've said all along about this that if he's

taken it and gets found out he should be banned.

``At first when he appealed and they said he could play on I had to go along

with that because it is the rule but now that they've said he can't play I go

along with that too.

``He's not my player. I've got nothing to do with him or any of the Portuguese

players but it is a worldwide rule that if you get caught taking illegal

substances you get banned and I think that's justified.

``Couto's absence won't make any difference to our approach on Saturday

although I have to say I was mighty impressed by him when we played the 1-1 draw in Lisbon in September.

``He's one of those in their side who can dig in and defend and now they've

lost him. You would say it is good for us although I'm sure they've got other

good centre-halves.''

Couto, who had been due to win his 77th Portuguese cap, heard the news of his

international ban just before the team's delayed flight to Dublin took off.

It presents a major problem for manager Antonio Oliveira who must replace his

most experienced player, but McCarthy also has selection worries even though

striker Robbie Keane's chances of playing have improved considerably.

Wimbledon defender Kenny Cunningham has already been ruled out with a stomach muscle injury and is also likely to miss next Wednesday's clash with Estonia in Tallinn.

Now Tottenham defender Stephen Carr and Charlton midfielder Mark Kinsella have become concerns for the Republic boss after missing training today with,

respectively, ankle and groin injuries.

McCarthy insisted: ``I'm confident that both of them will be okay, but I might

not be able to name a team tomorrow as I originally planned. It is too big a

game to take chances with anybody.''

McCarthy, though, has received a massive boost with Leeds ace Keane's progress this week after being out since damaging ankle ligaments against Arsenal on May 5.

The former Inter Milan forward played 40 minutes in a specially-arranged match

yesterday between the senior Irish side and the Under-21s.

``He's trained well again today and I think he can last 90 minutes on Saturday

if he keeps up the improvement he's shown.

``He's missed a few games since that injury at Arsenal but that means that, at

least, he's been able to rest.''