Kerr hoping that Keane will play

Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr is hoping Robbie Keane will wake up tomorrow morning and decide he wants to play for his country against Georgia on Saturday.

Tottenham striker Keane is mourning the loss of his father, who died on Monday following a battle against cancer, and was buried in Ireland yesterday.

Kerr has put no pressure whatsoever on Keane to play, leaving the decision entirely up to the player.

But privately he will be hoping he will be able to call on the services of his best striker for what is his first competitive game in charge.

Keane was naturally devastated by the death of his father, Robbie senior, but he may feel the best thing to do in order to honour his memory is to represent his country in the Group 10 Euro 2004 qualifier.

If Keane decides to play, then the Football Association of Ireland have already put in a place the necessary travel arrangements to get him here in time for the match on Saturday afternoon.

Keane, 22, has won 40 caps and scored 14 goals for his country, and was one of the stars of last summer’s World Cup, scoring three goals during Ireland’s Far East adventure which ended when they lost to Spain on penalties in the second round.

Ireland lost both their opening Euro 2004 qualifying matches, away to Russia and at home to Switzerland, and need to register their first points if they are to resurrect their chances of going to Portugal for next year’s finals.

If Keane does not make it out here in time to face Georgia, the likelihood is that he will instead join the team in Tirana on Monday, as they have a second qualifying match on Wednesday, when they take on Albania.

Since Saturday Kerr’s squad has been depleted by the loss of Jason McAteer, Gary Kelly, Clinton Morrison, Ian Harte, Steve Finnan and Steven Reid, so he can ill afford to lose Keane too. If that proves to be the case, then Keane’s White Hart Lane team-mate Gary Doherty is likely to play up front alongside Damian Duff after overcoming a back strain.

Meanwhile, Kerr will announce who will be his captain – with Birmingham defender Kenny Cunningham set to retain the armband which was handed to him by former manager Mick McCarthy.

Cunningham missed Kerr’s first match in charge, the friendly in Scotland last month, through injury, and Ipswich midfielder Matt Holland led the team instead.

But 31-year-old Cunningham, who has won 44 caps, is fit and available for these back-to-back qualifiers, and will get the nod from Kerr.