ALEX FERGUSON is expected to confirm today that Roy Keane will return to Manchester United's team for tomorrow's English League Cup third round meeting with Swindon Town.

The timetable for the Irishman's return from injury, some 10 days ahead of schedule, was revised after he was cleared to go back into full training on Sunday.

A dub spokesman said yesterday that Keane had done some decision will be made until the player speaks with Ferguson this morning.

Philip Neville is also in line for a recall after undergoing surgery on his ankle. United's reshuffle after their humiliating defeat by Newcastle on Sunday may be completed by the reappearance of Ryan Giggs on the left wing.

The Swindon game, low key in the context of the club's recent programme, offers the ideal opportunity for Keane to case back into the team for the first time since he burst blood vessels in his leg during the 2-0 win over Rapid Vienna on September 25th.

If he came through unscathed, he would then be in line to face Southampton in the Premiership on Saturday, a game which has taken on added urgency for United after the debacle at Newcastle. Equally important, he would also be available for the return European Champions League meeting with Fenerbahce at Old Trafford, a week tomorrow.

In the past, however, the club has been accused of rushing the player back too soon after injury, a charge which has some substance given his recurring fitness problems over the last two years.

Ferguson can ill afford a repetition of that problem now. The evidence of the Newcastle game was that for all the depth of talent at the club, Keane is irreplaceable.

Should the player make a successful return tomorrow and continue in the team, he could play four games before the Republic of Ireland's next World Cup assignment against Iceland in under three weeks time.

That would please Mick McCarthy who is still awaiting the chance of welcoming back his errant midfielder for the first time since his dismissal against Russia last March.

As one problem appeared to recede, however, another one loomed on the horizon for the Irish manager with the disclosure than Steve Staunton could now be out of the Iceland game.

Staunton, a key member of McCarthy's three centre halves formation, may be out for three weeks after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury in Aston Villa's 2-0 defeat of Leeds United on Saturday.

"It looks as if I'll be out for a fortnight or possibly even three weeks, but I'll be working as hard as possible in the gym to get myself ready for the game with Iceland," Staunton said yesterday.