World Cup Corner

Reuters - Manchester United captain Roy Keane will miss Ireland’s do-or-die World Cup qualifier away to Switzerland next month after breaking a bone in his foot.

The midfielder injured his left foot during United’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday with the club saying on their official website that he was expected to be out for two months.

Keane may, therefore, have played his last match for his country since he had said he would retire from international football after the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany or before if Ireland failed to qualify.

Republic of Ireland Manager, Brian Kerr, in a statement on the Football Association of Ireland’s website, said: ‘I am disappointed to hear the news. While one always hopes that an injury is never as serious as first feared, Roy’s loss would be a blow for the Swiss match and I know that he would be disappointed to miss the game.

‘However we have prepared for the loss of players throughout this campaign. The focus is on winning the next two games’ the manager added.

Ireland are fourth in the tight European zone Group Four qualifiers with 13 points, three less than leaders Switzerland. France are second, equal on points with the Swiss, and Israel third a point behind but with only one game left.

The Irish should pick up all three points on their visit to Cyprus on October 8 before hosting Switzerland four days later. Switzerland and France meet in another big match in Berne on October 8.