Post by Taxigirl on Mar 6, 2004 12:23:41 GMT
Brian Kerr has left the door open for former Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane to return to the international arena, if he gains Sir Alex Ferguson's approval.
The Manchester United midfielder hinted recently that he might be willing to end his self-imposed exile following the high-profile bust-up with Mick McCarthy during the Irish training camp ahead of the World Cup finals in 2002.
Despite worries over Keane's fitness, and the fact that he is not playing in every game for United, there remains the prospect that the 32-year-old could return in a bid to lead his country to the 2006 finals in Germany.
Ferguson's view on the matter is likely to be that he does not want his inspirational skipper to perform a U-turn in order to pull on the green shirt again, but Keane is a strong character himself.
"If Roy wants to make himself available in the future, I have no problems with that," Kerr told The Dublin Evening Herald.
"The team will be run my way. Anyone who comes into the panel will be treated exactly the same as the rest of the squad.
"Every player has to be committed and has to live within the rules of the team.
"Everybody knows how to get in touch with me if they want to come back. But anyone who wants to return has to know it's right for them.
"There is no point if a player who has retired from international football says he wants to play for us again, only to find out that his club manager does not agree."