Keane set to return by end of month
Sports.com
12 April 2002
Manchester United captain Roy Keane could return to action in time for his side's Champions League semi-final, second leg against Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the month.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder was due to be out at least until the final after straining his hamstring against Deportivo La Coruna last week.
Initial reports had the United skipper out of action for the remainder of the season, and possibly even the World Cup.
But United believe the injury might not be as bad as at first feared and it is thought Keane may well be ready to take on the Germans in the next phase.
Sir Alex Ferguson may wait and see how the first leg goes however as Keane is on a yellow card and a further booking would rule him out of the final.
The United manager said: "We are hoping Roy might be back sooner and we are working very hard to get him right."
The return of Keane would be a huge boost to United, who look set to be without David Beckham for the remainder of the season.
England's captain called Sven-Goran Eriksson yesterday from the club's Carrington training ground to reassure him that he would be back in time for the World Cup.
The Swede was at the game against Deportivo and will now feel confident enough to include his captain in the 23-man squad for Japan to be announced on May 21.
Meanwhile, United do not have a game this weekend, ensuring their players will have time to rest and recover ahead of next week's internationals.
They were due to play Arsenal this weekend, but that game has been postponed because of the Gunners' involvement in the FA Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.
