Soccer

Keane takes his place in 28-man squad for end of season campaign

LA Galaxy striker has missed last three games with ankle injury

Anthony Pilkington is one of 28 players named by Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni for the end of season fixtures. Photograph: Andrew Winning/Reuters
Mon May 13 2013 - 11:39

Robbie Keane will be fit to lead the Republic of Ireland in their busy end of season campaign after being named in a provisional 28-man squad by manager Giovanni Trapattoni today.

The 32-year-old has missed the last three games for club Los Angeles Galaxy with an ankle injury but will return from America for the friendlies against England, Georgia and Spain either side of next month’s World Cup qualifier clash with the Faroe Islands.

There were returns for Spartak Moscow midfielder Aiden McGeady and Norwich's Anthony Pilkington, but there was no place for Wolves striker Kevin Doyle and Aston Villa defenders Richard Dunne and Ciaran Clark, although Dunne may yet train with the squad as he continues his recovery from a long-standing groin problem

Ireland take on England at Wembley in a friendly international on May 29th before taking on Georgia at the Aviva Stadium in a friendly on June 2nd before the World Cup qualifier at the same venue on June 7th.

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Trapattoni will then take his squad to the United States where they will take on world champions Spain at Yankee Stadium in New York on June 11th.

Trapattoni will name a final squad for the games late next week ahead of meeting up in London on Sunday May 26th.

Speaking today in Carrick on Shannon during the town’s 400 year celebrations, the Republic of Ireland manager said: ‘We must consider the positives from our games against Sweden and Austria when preparing for these fixtures.

“We produced two strong performances, and the players have proven that they are working very well together. I am very happy to have the squad together for these games. Firstly to prepare for the Faroe Islands World Cup qualifier, and then for the challenges we have ahead of us in September.

“This trip creates the chance to work with the players for a longer period than usual in order to bond and plan for the remainder of our Fifa World Cup qualifier games. These matches will provide me with the opportunity to experiment with different players and tactics. I am looking forward to assembling the squad in London on May 26th.”


REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Forde (Millwall), Westwood (Sunderland), Randolph (Motherwell).
Defenders: O'Shea (Sunderland), St Ledger (Leicester City), Delaney (Crystal Palace), R Keogh (Derby County), Wilson (Stoke City), Coleman (Everton), Kelly (Reading), O'Dea (Toronto), McShane (Hull City).
Midfielders: Whelan (Stoke City), McCarthy (Wigan Athletic), Green (Leeds United), Hendrick (Derby County), McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Pilkington (Norwich City), McClean (Sunderland), Brady (Hull City), Meyler (Hull City), Keogh (Millwall).
Forwards: Keane (LA Galaxy), Long (West Brom), Sammon (Derby County), Walters (Stoke City), Cox (Nottingham Forest), Hoolahan (Norwich City).