Roy Keane named in squad for Poland game

**Plastic Paddy** · 20/04/2004, 1:53 PM

...but will he make it?

PP

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(source: bbc.co.uk )

Roy Keane is set to make his return to Republic of Ireland duty in next week's friendly in Poland.

The Manchester United captain has been named in Brian Kerr's squad for the game in Bydgoszcz, even though he is at the centre of fitness doubts.

Keane has missed his club's last three games because of a thigh injury and may not line out against Charlton on Tuesday evening.

The Corkman last week announced that he would return to international duty.

His last international was against Nigeria in May 2002.

Less than a month later, he was sent home on the eve of the World Cup after a row with then Republic boss Mick McCarthy.

**NeilMcD** · 20/04/2004, 2:03 PM

20/04/2004: Roy Keane has returned to the Republic of Ireland squad to face Poland in Bydgoszcz tomorrow week.

It is 23 months since the Manchester United captain played for the national side and should he make an appearance, it will be his first under new manager Brian Kerr. He will not be returning as captain.

Keane, who is suffering from a thigh strain, has yet to be cleared to play in United’s premiership clash with Charlton at Old Trafford tonight.

His availability for United will not impinge on his prospects of playing in Poland.

full details to follow

**PaulB** · 20/04/2004, 2:12 PM

Roy Keane is back in the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time since his World Cup walk-out two years ago.

Last week, the 32-year-old Manchester United skipper confirmed he had made himself available to play for his country again and Republic coach Brian Kerr has responded by naming Keane in the squad for next Wednesday's friendly in Poland.

However, Birmingham defender Kenny Cunningham will retain the captaincy despite Keane's return to the squad.

**Bowsy** · 20/04/2004, 2:12 PM

Will be surprised if he plays this one. Romania is my bet for his return. Little else of note in the squad selection apart from Maybury's inclusion. Thought he did well defensively against the Czechs but not much cop on the ball. Can't see him as a future squad regular.

**Seanie** · 20/04/2004, 2:14 PM

Squad: Given (Newcastle United), Colgan (Hibernian), Kenny (Sheffield United), Maybury (Hearts), Cunningham (Birmingham City), Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Harte (Leeds United), Carr (Tottenham Hotspur), O'Brien (Newcastle United), Breen (Sunderland), O'Shea (Manchester United), Miller (Celtic), Roy Keane (Manchester United), Reid (Nottingham Forest), Holland (Charlton Athletic), Delap (Southampton), McAteer (Sunderland), Kinsella (West Bromwich Albion), Kilbane (Everton), Duff (Chelsea), Lee (Cardiff City), Connolly (West Ham United), Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), Morrison (Birmingham City).

**carnstien** · 20/04/2004, 2:20 PM

I'm disappointed that ****ers like Kinsella and Breen are still making the squad. I had really hoped that Kerr would cut out that kind of dead wood.

On another note, where is Steve Finnan, he should really be a 1st team regular, I assume he is injured?

**PaulB** · 20/04/2004, 2:23 PM

Finnan has a shoulder Injury, hasn't played for LIverpool for about 6 weeks.

**NeilMcD** · 20/04/2004, 2:24 PM

Why do people give out when players get in the squad, and then they dont say who should be at the squad. I think Kinsella and Breen are past it but who else is there

**Declan_Michael** · 20/04/2004, 2:25 PM

The squad pretty much picks itself.

**Plastic Paddy** · 20/04/2004, 2:27 PM

Originally Posted by carnstien

I'm disappointed that Kinsella and Breen are still making the squad. I had really hoped that Kerr would cut out that kind of dead wood.

On another note, where is Steve Finnan, he should really be a 1st team regular, I assume he is injured?

I'll certainly go with you on Kinsella as I think we now have plenty of better options in the centre of midfield, notwithstanding the return of the prodigal son. However, I think Breen still gives us useful options at the back, and as one of the other posters hereabouts - a Sunderland fan - has reported, Breen has been their most consistent player this season. And they're not doing too badly.

And yes, Finnan has been injured most of this season.

PP

**eirebhoy** · 20/04/2004, 2:29 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Why do people give out when players get in the squad, and then they dont say who should be at the squad. I think Kinsella and Breen are past it but who else is there

Dunne, IMO, deserves a place before Breen. I'm not a fan of S. Reid but since most of the midfielders are central I'd pick him over Kinsella.

**NeilMcD** · 20/04/2004, 2:40 PM

is he not injured

**NeilMcD** · 20/04/2004, 2:46 PM

I think its good that Kenny is still captain once again kerr shows he is Mr. Sensible and Mr Calm and does not rush things or opt for the stupid option.

**drummerboy** · 20/04/2004, 2:50 PM

Interesting to see McAteer in the squad. I wonder will he share a room with Keano. He'll hardly travel with Sunderland's fixtures. Breen is playing quite well, saw him at the weekend and he played very well.

Whats the point in selecting Colgan, who can't even get a place on the bench at Hibs.

**Beavis** · 20/04/2004, 2:55 PM

Originally Posted by PaulB

However, Birmingham defender Kenny Cunningham will retain the captaincy despite Keane's return to the squad.

Delighted to hear there's still a bit of reason left...

I've reiterated here I dunno how many times but here goes....Regardless of Breen's indifferent club performances (altough that can't be said this year) he has rarely if ever let the us down and surely(and I'm glad Kerr agrees) that's the most important thing.Always has given his everything for Ireland and should continue alongside Kenny for the next campaign imo.

**NeilMcD** · 20/04/2004, 3:05 PM

Roy Keane is in the squad for the Poland match next week, is ready to play though he will be not be captain, Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr revealed on Tuesday afternoon.

After all the talk of Keane coming back after leaving the squad on the eve of the 2002 World Cup, the news was released quickly with Kerr was quick to answer the burning questions of the day.

“Roy told me he wants to make himself available and I have picked him the squad. He is available under the same terms as every other player in the squad,” said Kerr.

“Kenny Cunningham will remain as captain. He was captain when I took over as manager and will stay as captain.”

Kerr also took the opportunity to explain how Keane’s 23-month absence from the international scene came to an end last Tuesday. “When I came into the job, I spoke to Roy, but Roy was not able to commit to returning at the time.

“He was in contact with me over the last number of months and has taken a deep interest in the Ireland team.

“I have always said that I have an open mind if players who have retired want to make themselves available again and that goes for any player who has retired. Roy came to me and told me he wants to make himself available again on the same terms as everybody else.

“I can understand by players who in the past played for Ireland with an unbroken record have difficulties with it and why some fans have some lingering annoyance at what happened in Japan, but I would hope that we are more mature now.”

Kerr also dismissed any worries of problems within the squad that may be caused by Keane’s return. “I don’t envisage any problems. We’re all mature and have moved on and if there are any problems, I would expect them to be sorted out quickly.”

As Kerr said at the end of the press conference: “There are 23 other players in the squad as well,” as, for the first time ever at a squad announcement, there was only talk about one player.

But there was still plenty of talking points in the rest of Kerr’s selection with Nick Colgan (Hibernian), Stephen Carr (Tottenham Hotspur), David Connolly (West Ham United) and Andy O'Brien (Newcastle United) are all back having withdrawn through from the Czech match while John O'Shea (Manchester United), Gary Breen and Jason McAteer (both Sunderland)all return after being left out because of club commitments.

Alan Maybury (Hearts) and Liam Miller (Celtic) are also included having been late additions to the squad for the Czech match.

**eirebhoy** · 20/04/2004, 3:29 PM

Carr has witdrawn from the squad because of "injury". I don't know what to make of that.

**ger121** · 20/04/2004, 3:39 PM

There will definately be withdrawls from that squad through injury

before the match on the 28th. West ham and Sunderland are in the thick of it in the playoff positions at the moment. When is the 2nd leg of the Chelsea match? I'm sure they won't want Duffer going to Poland so close to their second leg.

only1kilbane · 20/04/2004, 3:59 PM

I dont know why people keep putting down Gary Breen who has as i have said before had an excellent season for Sunderland. Though he is prone to an odd mistake he has performed consistently for Ireland always. Kenny is the only sure thing at centre half nobody has really taken the other position so breeeno deserves the chance !

On Mark Kinsella he has had his chance but with nobody of note pushing to get in he is sound enough and deserves to be in the squad.