Former Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane looks set to return to the national team as assistant manager provided Bryan Robson is appointed manager, according to reports today.
The 31-year-old vowed never to play for Ireland again when he was sent home from last summer's World Cup finals following a confrontation with the then manager Mick McCarthy.
However according to the Irish Examinersources close to Bryan Robson, the favourite for the post of manager, have claimed Keane's former Manchester United team-mate has listed the hardman midfielder as his preferred assistant.
Robson's name was among a shortlist handed to Football Association of Ireland (FAI) last week by former Northern Ireland manager Bryan Hamilton.
According to the report the FAI remain tightlipped about the exact list of applicants as they were ridiculed seven years ago when they sought a replacement for Jack Charlton.
However the other names figured to be on the list are Brian Kerr, former internationals Frank Stapleton and John Aldridge, former Sunderland manager Peter Reid, former Japan manager Philippe Troussier and Scotland legend Kenny Dalglish.
All of them also submitted a recommendation as to who they would have as their assistant with Reid nominating former Ireland striker Niall Quinn which if successful would all but rule Keane out of ever revising his decision to play for the Irish again.
Quinn was criticised by Keane following the World Cup outburst for effectively betraying him in not speaking up for him at the meeting where he made his outburst.
While several FAI officials are not keen on Keane's returning as they were held responsible by the midfielder for the shambolic preparations for the World Cup finals they have conceded that the new manager can only earn credibility should he include him in his plans.
Whoever takes over will be given a contract which lasts till the Irish interest in the 2004 European Championships last and with two defeats against Russia and Switzerland they face a tough task to even make the play-offs for runners-up.
AFP