Keane makes Republic return

Roy Keane has passed a fitness test and will end his international exile by playing for the Republic of Ireland against Romania in tonight’s friendly at Lansdowne Road.

The Manchester United captain’s last appearance for his country was in a friendly at home to Nigeria two years ago, before famously falling out with then manager Mick McCarthy and being sent home shortly before the 2002 World Cup finals.

However, the 32-year-old has come out of international retirement for manager Brian Kerr and will earn his 59th cap tonight.

The match will be a landmark occasion too for the other Keane in the squad - Tottenham striker Robbie. The 23-year-old will win his 50th cap, and if he can mark the occasion with a hat-trick he will overtake Niall Quinn’s tally of 21 and become Ireland’s record goalscorer.

Also returning to the senior team to earn his 26th cap is Liverpool right-back Steve Finnan. It will be only the 28-year-old’s second appearance since last September.

Team: Given, Finnan, O’Brien, Cunningham, Maybury, Miller, Roy Keane, Holland, A Reid, Morrison, Robbie Keane.