ROY KEANE'S planned come back to international football is on schedule following his successful return to Manchester United's team in their League Cup success against Swindon Town.

Club officials said yesterday that the player had reported no problems in his first game since bursting a blood vessel in his leg during their European Champions League win over Rapid Vienna on September 25th.

Providing he comes through tomorrow's Premiership fixture at Southampton unscathed, he now looks certain to be in the Republic of Ireland squad for the World Cup game against Iceland at Lansdowne Road on November 10th.

"I was delighted with the way Roy played in the Swindon game and he was quite pleased, too," said Alex Ferguson.

Mick McCarthy will be reassured by Keane's successful rehabilitation as he prepares to welcome him back for his first Ireland appearance since the game against Russia last March.

McCarthy intends to name his squad for the Icelandic game early next week and has not ruled Niall Quinn out of his plans. Quinn, who is recovering from a damaged knee, is struggling to be ready for Sunderland's meeting with Aston Villa tomorrow, but he has not been discounted from the equation for the World Cup fixture.

The Irish manager is less optimistic about the fitness of Steve Staunton, whose recovery from a damaged hamstring may take at least another fortnight.

. An eight game ban on Patrick's Athletic's Mick Moody has been halved by the Senior Clubs' Disciplinary Commission. Moody had been granted a personal hearing in his claims that the suspension, imposed for a foul in a reserve team game against Athlone Town, was excessive.