ROY KEANE is expected in Dublin today to give his version of the chain of events which led to his being effectively banned and stripped of the captaincy of the Republic of Ireland team for next month's American tour.

Keane broke his week-long silence yesterday to speak with Irish manager Mick McCarthy on the telephone, but McCarthy declined to comment on their conversation, pending the outcome of today's meeting.

The wayward Manchester United player was seen at Old Trafford yesterday, where Lancashire's one-day cricket match with Gloucestershire was washed out, but his presence may have had less to do with cricket than the new contract which he is currently negotiating with Manchester United.

Journalists who attempted to interview him got short shrift, but a confidante of the player in Manchester said that Keane had spoken with McCarthy and planned to travel to Ireland today. He confirmed that Keane had been on holiday in Capri, but was now anxious to present his side of the story.

Earlier indications from the club suggested that the player was recovering from a damaged hamstring, but this is understood to have now healed. There must, however, be a doubt about his general level of fitness, as he finished his season with Manchester United almost three weeks ago.

Playing him at this stage of the season would be a decision fraught with risk, but there was at least some indication last night that McCarthy may be about to have a change of heart.

McCarthy said: "If he turns up in the next day or two and he is fit, he could still be involved in the two games we have got against quality opposition - Croatia on Sunday and Holland in Rotterdam next Tuesday.

"I need him to show the desire to play for his country. If I see that I will deal with the situation again. I am not saying the door is still open to America for him, because I've named my squad of 20 for that trip and Alan Kernaghan is coming with us instead of Roy.

"But, as you know, things can change. You can get knocks that make you change your plans."

The latest twist in a long saga came some hours after McCarthy stated at Lansdowne Road that Keane would not participate in the team's end-of-season programme which, in addition to this evening's game against Portugal, includes meetings with Croatia, Holland, the United States, Mexico and Bolivia.

McCarthy announced that Kernaghan would join the travelling party for the three-match American tour, just a fortnight after he had been told that his involvement with the squad would end after next Tuesday's game against Holland at Rotterdam.

"I phoned Alan a fortnight ago to tell him that we wouldn't need him in America," said McCarthy. "This morning I asked him if he would like to come and join us there and he was delighted. Now that's the kind of commitment I want from people, the sort of commitment that has been given to the team over the years.

"I am not suggesting that the players who didn't turn up are lacking that commitment. What I am saying is that people should be breaking their nut' to play for Ireland.

"I'm not going to go accusing Roy, for I haven't spoken with him at any length and, as such, I don't know what his reasons are for staying away. But at some point I had to make a decision on what was going to happen this summer.

"I wish it was different, I wish he had reported like everybody else and was ready to play. I've said it before and I'll say it again, he is one of the best players in the Premiership and I want him in my team. But I want players with me who are as committed to playing for Ireland as those out there in training today.

McCarthy added: "It wasn't an easy decision to make. But the lads who reported for duty and worked so hard in training over the last couple of weeks deserve some respect. I have no intention of chasing people to come and play for Ireland. Either they turn up and play or I get on without them. It is as simple as that."

The effect of Keane's action or, more precisely, lack of action has been to plunge McCarthy into the doomsday scenario which he may have feared from the day he was appointed to succeed Jack Charlton last January.

On the one hand, his resources do not stretch to the point where he can lightly dispose with the services of a man who would fit comfortably into most teams in international football. This was reflected in last week's decision to appoint Keane team captain for the American tour, perhaps as an attempt to mend the breakdown in communication which may have been responsible for Keane's high rate of absenteeism during the European Championship qualifying programme.

On the other hand, McCarthy cannot afford to have his authority flouted at this early stage of his term of office. A passive response may send out all the wrong signals to other players - and this he is determined to avoid.

This is the dilemma which confronts him today. Pragmatism suggests that he may bury his disappointment and welcome the prodigal son back into the fold. If he does, however, it carries the latent threat of further aggravation down the line - and that is a daunting possibility for any manager seeking to make his way in the complex business of international football.

Keane's handling of the affair will not have won him many friends on either side of the Irish Sea. And, despite McCarthy's protestations to the contrary yesterday, it is unlikely to be forgotten.