Keane and Carr return to Ireland squad
Roy Keane returns to the Republic of Ireland squad for their vital World Cup qualifier in Tel Aviv next week.
The Manchester United midfielder has missed Ireland’s last two friendlies as he was rested for the win over Croatia at Lansdowne Road in November, and was sidelined with a knee injury which forced him out of the victory over Portugal five weeks ago in Dublin.
But Keane is fit again and included in a 23-strong squad for the clash with Israel on Saturday, March 26, at the Ramat-Gan Stadium, as well as the home friendly against China three days later.
Newcastle right-back Stephen Carr is also available after missing the game against the Portuguese under a special agreement between Magpies manager Graeme Souness and Republic boss Brian Kerr.
Although Carr trained with the squad ahead of that game, he had only recently returned to action at St James’ Park following a 14-match lay-off with a knee injury.
Walsall goalkeeper Joe Murphy is the only other addition to the squad after he also sat out the match with the Portuguese through injury, but travels as third choice to Newcastle star Shay Given and Sheffield United’s Paddy Kenny.
Republic of Ireland squad to face Israel in a World Cup qualifier against Israel in Tel Aviv on Saturday, March 26, and in a friendly against China at Lansdowne Road on Tuesday, March 29:
Given (Newcastle), Kenny (Sheff Utd), Murphy (Walsall), Carr (Newcastle), O’Shea (Man Utd), Breen (Sunderland), Dunne (Man City), Cunningham (Birmingham), Finnan (Liverpool), Maybury (Leicester), O’Brien (Newcastle), Miller (Man Utd), Roy Keane (Man Utd), Kilbane (Everton), Holland (Charlton), Quinn (Sheff Utd), Kavanagh (Wigan), Doherty (Norwich), Reid (Tottenham), Morrison (Birmingham), Robbie Keane (Tottenham), Elliott (Sunderland), Duff (Chelsea).
