Brian Kerr has expressed hope Roy Keane would be fit enough to play in the World Cup play-offs if Ireland finish second in the Group Four table, but the manager conceded the Cork man is almost certainly out of the Swiss game.

"The story is that Roy's broken the middle toe of his left foot, and the surgeon has said he is looking at a healing period of between six to eight weeks," said Kerr.

"That might be a maximum rather than a minimum period, it's often the way with these things that the doctors play a bit safe and go for the longer time period, but it would still rule him out of the Swiss game.

"The play-offs," he continued, "would be a different thing altogether, but we have to get on, get the next ones done and then see where we are on that one."

Kerr also revealed there is a potential complication to Keane's injury, as the midfielder also sustained a cut to his foot. If the cut becomes infected it will hinder his recovery from the more serious problem.

Confirmation of the injury's seriousness is a blow to Kerr, who could clearly have done with the Manchester United player in what is likely to be a decisive game against the Swiss. As luck would have it, though, the Dubliner was at Wigan's game against Birmingham City on Sunday and said that he had been highly impressed with the performance of Graham Kavanagh.

The manager's other options to play alongside Kevin Kilbane in central midfield for the games against Cyprus and Switzerland include Matt Holland, who came on for Charlton against Chelsea at the weekend, and John O'Shea.

Keane's injury is also a problem for his club, who struggled to produce their best form last season when without their skipper.

At Old Trafford yesterday there seemed to be an acceptance that Alan Smith will now have an extended opportunity to demonstrate his potential in midfield.

Ireland's game against the Swiss, it was confirmed yesterday, will kick-off at 7.45 to ensure all relevant games start at the same time.