If looking utterly comfortable as Aisha, one of Ireland's next generation of guide dogs, relaxed on his lap wasn't enough evidence that it was the cuddlier side of Roy Keane at yesterday's launch of the Shades for a Day fund-raising drive at Dublin's Radisson hotel, there was the unusual degree of compassion displayed by the Corkman when asked about Sol Campbell's sending off in Wednesday night's Highbury thriller.

"The letter of the law now is that if you raise your hand it's a red card, as I found to my cost earlier in the season, but I felt a little sorry for Sol, he's a pretty nice guy I believe," said the Manchester United skipper during a promotional appearance for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind campaign.

"The only thing is that it was a straight red card and so he can appeal it, he probably has the grounds for an appeal.

"But I don't care, it's not my business," he added quickly with a mischievous grin, to remind us perhaps that he hasn't gone completely soft on key players in rival teams. Then he moved swiftly on to reflect on both Wednesday's game and how evenly balanced it has left the championship race.

"From our perspective I suppose we were more happy with the performance than the result. A while back the team was generally written off, but we've been on a good run of form and now we're very much in with a chance of winning the title. A lot could happen in the last four games.

"I think we felt we'd lost it a little ourselves after Maine Road, but the lads have reacted magnificently since. It's very hard to call now. I think both teams will drop points, but after taking seven from the last nine we've got to be happy with the way we're going at the moment."

His own form, he admitted, remains a concern, although he declared himself happy with the way he had played against United's title rivals.

"I know I'm not playing as well as I can, though, I'm my own worst critic and I'm working very hard to get back to what I feel is an acceptable level.

"I know from the last time when I had the cruciate operation that sometimes it takes a while to get right again, you just have to be patient. The first four months that time, some of performances were very poor, then all of a sudden everything seemed to click. I'm doing everything I can to reach that point again."

Maintaining the high standards he has set for himself at club level was, of course, one of the primary reasons Keane gave in February when he confirmed his retirement from the international game, but he says that the benefits of that decision are something to be weighed up in the longer term.

In the meantime, he conceded, he has found it hard to watch Ireland's games and feel that he could still be out there making a contribution.

"It's been frustrating for me that I still think I can play for Ireland and do well for the team, but then in the couple of games that have been played the lads have shown that they can do well without me.

"In the end I think I just have to accept that what I did was the best decision for everybody, probably even Brian (Kerr), because if I had come back it would have turned into a media circus for him too.

"I made the decision and I have to stick to it, I still think it was the best thing for everybody and most of all it was the best decision for me."