Keane wants Irish return

Roy Keane has opened the door for a comeback with Ireland but admits such a dramatic return would not be easy on his international team-mates.

Keane appeared to be open to an approach from manager Brian Kerr to join the bid to reach the World Cup finals in Germany.

The Manchester United midfielder, 32, stopped playing for his country after being sent home from the World Cup preparations in Saipan in 2002 after a bust-up with then boss Mick McCarthy.

He said: 'Brian is doing things properly now, which I felt the previous manager wasn't doing.

'It would be down to Brian Kerr - it's as simple as that. It would probably be unfair on the players, and Brian, while it would also create a lot of media frenzy. So it's not as simple as just saying I am available again.'

Keane is set to play in United's clash with Leeds tomorrow, but FIFA and the Football Association have warned Leeds that Mark Viduka is ineligible because he did not travel with Australia for a friendly in Venezuela.