Roy Keane hungry to make return

Roy Keane has declared himself “very hungry” ahead of his first match for Ireland since he walked out of the Ireland training camp at the 2002 World Cup.

Keane will be the centre of attention when the Irish take on Romania in an international friendly at Lansdowne Road.

He said: “I was disappointed with the last match (when he withdrew through injury) and will hopefully get back into the swing of things. I am looking forward to the challenge.

"Since I first met Brian I thought it was the right decision and with my head I thought I could manage it a lot better.

“I knew that things had to change and things have improved.”

The Manchester United midfielder revealed he had decided in January to make a comeback but needed to be assured by boss Brian Kerr that the door was not shut for him and that he could be part of his plans.

While declaring he “did not want to go over old ground”, Keane revealed that it was “right” not to be at the World Cup in 2002, saying: “I have always enjoyed the matches but was frustrated as people did not have the same targets as me.”

He added he “was not looking for perfection but was always looking for progress” and needed to know there would be improvements.

He said: “What happened, happened. You can’t change the past, you live and learn.

"Things weren’t right – it was right for me not to be there. It was not just for me to learn – the previous manager, the media, the Irish FA - hopefully, will all hopefully have looked at themselves.

"A lot of headlines, a lot was written – that’s history now I suppose.”

He said: “When I first met Brian it was all positive. It was a nothing decision. I missed the matches – I was proud to play for my country and it has always been a focus for me.”