Kerr stands by Keane recall

Republic of Ireland coach Brian Kerr has admitted his decision to hand Roy Keane an international recall will not be met with universal approval.

Seven days after confirming he had completed a retirement u-turn following his dramatic World Cup walk-out in Saipan, Keane was named in the Irish squad to face Poland in Bydgoszcz next Wednesday.

The news will be greeted with resignation by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, who had been under the impression that his captain was only returning for competitive internationals, but yesterday admitted Keane would be the final arbiter of when he would be available.

If Ferguson’s wariness is understandable given the fitness problems Keane has encountered since he last pulled on the famous green shirt against Nigeria in May 2002, Kerr also knows some of his country’s own supporters will take some convincing of the merits of his decision.

The loyal fans who travelled to the Far East two years ago have not forgotten that Keane ditched them as well as his team-mates when he launched his infamous tirade at former boss Mick McCarthy.

Without their talisman, Ireland still went on to qualify from a group that also included eventual runners-up Germany and Cameroon before they crashed out to Spain on penalties in the first knock-out phase.

“I know that many fans will not be happy with this decision and I understand the hurt and disappointment they felt at that time but I feel it is time to move on,” said Kerr.

“I was not involved in any way in the events that took place prior to the last World Cup and, while I can understand why some fans are annoyed, we all need to be mature regarding Roy’s return and I am delighted he is available again.

“It was Roy who took the initiative and I have not spoken to Sir Alex about the matter. Roy made the approach and it was up to him to sort out his problems with Manchester United.”

Keane’s comeback is geared towards a World Cup qualifying campaign that starts on September 4 with a Lansdowne Road clash with Cyprus in a tricky Group Four that also includes France, Switzerland, Israel and the Faroe Islands.

But Kerr made it perfectly clear that any player expecting to represent his country must make themselves available for all matches.

For Keane, that also means a friendly against Romania in May, the likelihood of a triangular tournament involving Jamaica and Nigeria in London a few days later and then a pre-Euro 2004 encounter with Holland.

Whether Kerr can realistically expect a 32-year-old player, who only 18 months ago underwent career-threatening hip surgery and has missed United’s last three games with a hamstring injury, to put himself through such a punishing schedule is open to debate.

After revealing he had ’unfinished business’ with the national side following his controversial bust-up over the professionalism of the pre-World Cup programme under Mick McCarthy, Keane appears willing to give it a go, even though some of his harshest critics, including Jason McAteer, are still part of the Republic set-up.

As if to prove the Republic have moved on since those amazing events in Saipan, Kerr has confirmed that Birmingham defender Kenny Cunningham will remain as national captain, although Keane’s powerful personality is bound to exert a substantial influence inside the Irish dressing room.

“Roy will be a good leader for the many young players we have in the squad,” said Kerr.

“He has earned the respect of most people in the football world and he will have the respect of our dressing room as well.

“I have spoken to some of the squad about his return and I do not envisage any problems.

“We all know we have to move on and focus on the World Cup qualifying campaign.”

Fending off talk of Keane’s return wasn’t Kerr’s only immediate task in the wake of revealing his squad.

The coach also had to consider who to draft in as a replacement for Spurs full-back Stephen Carr, who was withdrawn within minutes of the announcement being made.

“Carr has had a back injection and won’t be fit enough to travel because he needs rest,” revealed Tottenham’s caretaker boss David Pleat.