IRISH PEACEMAKERS

Roy Keane has reportedly agreed to meet new Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr to discuss a possible return to international football following his shocking World Cup walkout last summer.

It was reported that Keane would have been happier if his former Manchester United teammate Bryan Robson had got the Irish job. However, Kerr, who proved himself more than adept at ingratiating himself with the media at his introductory press conference/stand-up routine, knows how much of a lift Keane's return would give the start of his tenure.

But Keane might face a club-versus-country row if he chooses to return. Last week, his club manager Sir Alex Ferguson suggested Keane might be better off retiring from international football. Ferguson said he believed Keane could prolong his top-level career by concentrating solely on club commitments as Alan Shearer has done at Newcastle.

However, Keane, whose autobiography is apparently outselling Harry Potter in Ireland, might well like to end his international career on a less sour note by captaining Kerr's side through the Euro 2004 campaign.