Irish skipper Robbie Keane remains a major doubt for Tuesday’s make or break Euro 2012 qualifier with Armenia, but assistant boss Marco Tardelli is ‘hopeful’ he will be fit to start.
Keane sat out training today due to discomfort caused by an adductor muscle injury, revealed yesterday in a scan underwent by the 31-year old, who complained of an abductor problem following the facile win over Andorra on Friday night.
With such a small window between the games and the fact that the Irish squad only arrived back early on Saturday morning after travelling through the night from Andorra, Keane seems unlikely to recover in time, but assistant boss Marco Tardelli said today that the LA Galaxy striker will be given every chance to prove his fitness.
“Robbie has a little problem, but we are hopeful he will recover. It will be very difficult, but we are hopeful,” said Tardelli.
“It’s the same problem he had after the last match in Los Angeles.
“Yesterday, he had a scan and he has a little problem – a big problem, not a little problem.”
Asked for a more detailed estimate about Keane’s chances of featuring in the Aviva Stadium, Tardelli replied: “I don’t know. It is better to ask the doctor. There is very little possibility that he will recover, but we are hopeful.”
Unlike other areas of the pitch, Ireland have plenty of options in the forward department. Stoke striker Jonathan Walters has joined up with the squad after recovering from an ankle problem, while West Brom duo Shane Long and Simon Cox could also be called into action.
“We have many options. We have Walters, Long, Cox – we have many options,” said Tardelli, repeating the words “many options” for greater effect.
“We are confident in all our players. We have different solutions, but we will wait and see tomorrow.”
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