Keane returns to training

Roy Keane shrugged off his ‘‘personal problems’’ and trained with the rest of his Ireland team-mates in Saipan this morning.

The Manchester United and Republic of Ireland skipper sent shockwaves through the camp last night when he told manager Mick McCarthy he wanted to go home, citing personal problems and concerns about his troublesome knee as the reasons.

Keane dramatically changed his mind a few hours later - after McCarthy had telephoned Celtic’s Colin Healy to tell him he was calling him into the squad as Keane’s replacement - and will now lead the team at the World Cup finals in Korea and Japan.

When the dust had settled here on the Western Pacific island this morning, Keane trained as normal and came through unscathed.

There was a great show of togetherness from the players, who gave each other piggy-backs and linked arms as forms of bonding.

‘‘Roy trained this morning and is absolutely fine,’’ said McCarthy.

‘‘He has had a change of heart and I am delighted. He should be playing in the World Cup because he is one of the best players in the world.

‘‘Roy plays for one of the biggest clubs in the world week in, week out, and I have no worries about him.’’

McCarthy is also confident the whole Keane saga will not affect the rest of his squad.

He added: ‘‘Team morale is brilliant, there are no worries about that. The lads are the best bunch

you will ever meet and they will get on with it.

‘‘Whatever happens they will put the best side out at all times, they are brilliant. They came back from training today and all gathered round Roy they are all together.

‘‘This is one of those things and it comes with the territory. I’d like to have had a lovely restful week and not had this to deal with, but we’ll get on with it.’’

Kenny Cunningham was the only player who missed training today. He has a slight hamstring strain

which will rule him out of Saturday’s friendly against Japanese club side Sanfrecce Hiroshima, but should not prevent him from lining up in the opening World Cup Group E clash against Cameroon a week later.

The only other minor concern for McCarthy is midfielder Lee Carsley, who finished the training session early because of a thigh problem.

The players have been given the rest of the day off and will be playing golf at Coral Ocean Point.