Soccer: Keane could be out of play-offs

Fears are growing that the Republic of Irelands influential captain, Roy Keane, may not be available for the play-off fixtures next month.

His Manchester United boss, Alex Ferguson, revealed that he is likely to be out for another three weeks at least.

Keane has already missed important Champion’s League and Premiership matches for United but it had been hoped that he would recover in time to figure in the first play-off game at Lansdowne Road on November 10.

Ferguson says that he will do all he can to allow Keane to prove his fitness because he understands how important the game is to the Irish.

The news will come as a major blow to Irish coach, Mick McCarthy, who already has injury concerns over Damien Duff, Kevin Kilbane, Niall Quinn and Steve Carr.