Ireland proved in their last match in Switzerland they are not defensive-minded, taking the game to the Swiss, which led to them opening the scoring through Clinton Morrison.

Although Switzerland hit back, Ireland comfortably held their own in the second period to take a deserved point from a 1-1 draw for a four-way tie at the top of the group as the Swiss, Irish and French, along with Israel, all have four points after two matches.

But Keane was certainly dismissive when asked if he felt he would need to sit deeper due to the team likely to come under pressure throughout the match.

“I have done that this year with Tottenham, played in a deeper role, so it is something I am used to,” said Keane.

“But we are not going to go to France to sit back and defend. We are going to go and try and win the game.

“Maybe if we are winning the game and there is not long left, then maybe we will defend after that, but I don’t see us doing it from the kick off.”

Keane will be assisted up front by Morrison, in form for Ireland after scoring in the opening two group matches, despite a lack of first-team football with Birmingham.

Keane feels his partnership with Morrison is one that can only improve, adding: “He is brilliant.

“He’s not very big, but he’s a good target man, very strong, holds the ball up well and is somebody I can drop off.

“It means he’s good for me and in the last few games we have done well together, scoring three goals between us.”

Many believe the Republic are facing France at the ideal time due to the problems being experienced by new coach Raymond Domenech, who it is understood asked a number of players who retired in the summer if they fancied a return.

On one side of the coin such a request would appear to undermine those already in the squad, although on the other, it could fire them up.

An unconcerned Keane is simply focusing on a result, one he feels is achievable as he said: “All the players he (Domenech) asked to come back are world class players and any manager would want them in the side.

“But that is not for us to worry about because there are still a lot of class players in there and they will do just as good a job as those not there.

“They have a lot of quality and technically they are very good. They are playing really well and it is up to us to get the right result, which we know we can do.”