Keane returns, Cunningham to captain

Roy Keane is back in the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time since his World Cup walk-out two years ago.

Last week, the 32-year-old Manchester United skipper confirmed he had made himself available to play for his country again and Ireland coach Brian Kerr has responded by naming Keane in the squad for next Wednesday’s friendly in Poland.

However, Birmingham defender Kenny Cunningham will retain the captaincy despite Keane’s return to the squad.

The news will have come as a surprise to Old Trafford manager Alex Ferguson, who believed Keane was only going to be required for competitive internationals.

Instead, Ferguson must come to terms with the knowledge that his captain will now undertake an arduous journey to Eastern Europe in the middle of key Barclaycard Premiership fixtures with Liverpool and Blackburn even though he has missed the last three United games with a hamstring strain.

Republic of Ireland squad to play Poland in friendly in Poznan on April 28:

Given (Newcastle), Colgan (Hibernian), Kenny (Sheff Utd), Maybury (Hearts), Cunningham (Birmingham), Doherty (Tottenham), Harte (Leeds), Carr (Tottenham), O’Brien (Newcastle), Breen (Sunderland), O’Shea (Man Utd), Miller (Celtic), Roy Keane (Man Utd), Reid (Nottm For), Holland (Charlton), Delap (Southampton), McAteer (Sunderland), Kinsella (West Brom), Kilbane (Everton), Duff (Chelsea), Lee (Cardiff), Connolly (West Ham), Robbie Keane (Tottenham), Morrison (Birmingham).