Injury concerns mount as Keane misses training

Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane sat out training this morning as he nursed an Achilles injury.

However, assistant manager Marco Tardelli later insisted he is not a doubt for Friday night’s World Cup qualifier against Germany.

The LA Galaxy frontman picked up the knock in a training ground collision with defender Paul McShane yesterday, but is expected to be fit for the Group C encounter at the Aviva Stadium in which manager Giovanni Trapattoni has hinted he will play as a lone striker.

Midfielder Keith Andrews sat out the latter part of the session, but Tardelli confirmed he does not have an injury, while keeper Keiren Westwood, who was missing yesterday, was back on the training pitch.

Chelsea midfielder Conor Clifford, who was drafted into the squad last night, worked with his team-mates for the first time as Trapattoni drilled his players ahead of a difficult game.