Both players are thought to have sustained ankle ligament damage and, although early signs suggest they are not particularly serious, Kerr faces an anxious 48 hours with the clashes against Russia and Switzerland looming.

Keane turned his right ankle while shooting at Mark Schwarzer and immediately fell to the ground.

Kerr said: “Robbie is quite sore at the moment but we won’t know how serious it is for a couple of days.

“Matt Holland has a slight twist of his ankle and felt sore and I took him off immediately. I would say they are both ligament problems.”

Kerr was delighted with his side’s comeback win and reserved special praise for goalkeeper Nick Colgan and second-half substitute Ian Harte.

Kerr’s six-match unbeaten record in charge looked in grave danger after Mark Viduka put the impressive visitors ahead in the 49th minute.

And only an heroic stop by Colgan on his full debut, when Viduka was clean through on the hour, prevented the Australians from extending their lead.

Harte’s introduction helped change the game, with a superb free-kick finding the head of John O’Shea for his 74th-minute equaliser, and an equally precise through-ball allowing Clinton Morrison to convert the winner 10 minutes from time.

Kerr said: “Ian Harte’s delivery of the ball was very good and it was one of the things that changed the game.

“Nick was nervous because he hadn’t got much experience up to now but I’m delighted for him.

“The ball fell handily for Viduka and it was a crucial save. It gave everyone a bit of encouragement and momentum at that stage of the day.”

Colgan’s performance on his full debut delighted Kerr who deliberately gave him the experience ahead of next month’s crucial European Championship qualifiers against Russia and Switzerland.

But Kerr was less pleased with his side’s first-half performance, in which Keane’s chance was Ireland’s only major threat.

Australia were unlucky not to lead after Marco Bresciano hammered a long-range effort against the bar in the 14th minute and moments later Danny Tiatto was only denied by another fine Colgan save.

But Ireland finally took a grip in the second half with O’Shea’s first goal for his country and substitute Morrison’s winning effort which trickled into the net despite the desperate chase of Australian defender Tony Vidmar.

Kerr added: “The fact that we were behind and came back to win a game was good. It is the first time we’ve been behind recently so it shows we can up our game a bit when the pressure is on.

“Australia played very well as I expected. They seem to have a lot of desire and I think it is very hard on them that they lost the match overall.”

Australia boss Frank Farina had injury problems of his own to contend with after the late omission of Harry Kewell due to a recurrence of his long-standing Achilles injury.

Kewell flew home after checks by his team doctor and physio but Farina said: “If he had had another day he would most probably have been OK but it’s a big risk and we don’t really want to take that with a player of his calibre.”

Farina was understandably disappointed that his side lost an entertaining game in such fashion but was happy with their overall display.

He added to the praise of Colgan by saying: “When you see their goalkeeper getting man of the match it shows you we are doing something right and I thought he made a couple of crucial saves.”