Keane faces Champions League fitness race

[sligoman]

Manchester United captain Roy Keane is unlikely to play in next month’s Champions League qualifying round, manager Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed.

Keane has been out of action for the past fortnight after picking up a hamstring injury early in pre-season training.

Ferguson last week expressed a hope that he and fellow injury victim Wes Brown would be available for the tour of the Far East, but with both set to stay behind when the squad departs for China on Thursday, the Cork man faces a race against time for the beginning of United’s competitive campaign against as yet unspecified opposition on August 9th or 10th next.

“I dearly want them on the trip as I need all my players playing as many warm-up matches as possible before the Champions League,” said Fergie. “If they don’t play in the Far East it will be hard for them to make the Champions League."

There remains a possibility that the 33-year-old will be summoned for the final two games of United’s tour in China and Japan, but that depends on the injury responding to intensive treatment over the next seven days.
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I hope he's ok for Ireland/France game. He would be a major loss

[jimbob117]

He won't be available for the italy game so.

[NeilMcD]

I dont care if he is there for the Italy game its the France one and the 2 in October where it really counts.

[OwlsFan]

..and to hell with the Champions/2ndPlace/3rdPlaceandeven4thPlace League as well. September 7 is the first date that matters.

I fear Henri might be refreshed as he usually has a good start to the season. Starting to think about it already

[macdermesser]

I hope he's okay too. And more to the point I hope this time around he puts crucial world cup games for Ireland before club CL commitments...

to be fair now, I don't think that is very realistic. Man United pay his wages. Would you put your job at risk to attend the Ireland v France game?

well .. I know many of us on this board would and have done .. but that is besides the point!