Keane eases back into international life

Roy Keane came through his first training Irish session with “no problems” and flies to Poland with the rest of the team ahead of Wednesday’s friendly.

Roy Keane came through his first training session with the Republic of Ireland with “no problems” and will fly out to Poland with the rest of the team this afternoon ahead of Wednesday’s friendly in Bydgoszcz.

The Manchester United captain trained at the unusual setting of Malahide Football Club just outside Port Marnock and is set to play for his country again for the first time since sensationally being sent home before the World Cup finals in 2002.

Ireland manager Brian Kerr attempted the impossible task of keeping Keane’s return as low profile as possible and will make his final decision on the team when the midfielder has final treatment on a slight hamstring strain.

“There have been no reception parties, players just come and join in, it’s as simple as that,” said Kerr.

“There have been no problems, Roy is going back to the team hotel now and we’ll see how his injury is. It’s his call, he knows his own body and I’m sure he’ll make the right decision.”

Kerr has lost Charlton skipper Matt Holland with a back injury, West Ham striker David Connolly with a knee problem while Robbie Keane will not travel with the party today after suffering a head injury in yesterday’s north London derby against Arsenal.

However, the Tottenham striker might yet fly directly to Poland to join up with the team tomorrow.

Three players have been added to Kerr’s squad today, which now totals 20.

Coventry pair Graham Barrett and Michael Doyle have been called up along with Ireland’s top striker, Jason Byrne of Shelbourne, who is also a first cousin of Robbie Keane.

It means that seven of the travelling party were in Saipan with Roy Keane when controversy erupted before the World Cup finals in Japan and Korea.

They are Shay Given, Andy O’Brien, current skipper Kenny Cunningham, Mark Kinsella, Stephen Reid, Ian Harte and Clinton Morrison.

Since Kerr announced his original squad there have been several withdrawals. The absentees are now Stephen Carr, Paddy Kenny, Kevin Kilbane and Rory Delap.

At the weekend Kerr lost Jason McAteer, Damien Duff and Gary Breen and has now lost Holland, Connolly and possibly Robbie Keane.

The manager called up Blackburn duo Jonathan Douglas and Stephen Reid, plus Alan Quinn and the three new additions this morning.