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Injuries ease as McCarthy tries to forget Keane

Updated: Thursday May 30, 2002 06:46 a.m. ET

NIIGATA, Japan, May 30 (Reuters) - Ireland manager Mick McCarthy is likely to have a fully fit squad to choose from for the side's opening World Cup match as he tries to put the Roy Keane controversy behind him.

Injury concerns over midfielders Jason McAteer, Mark Kinsella and Kevin Kilbane eased on Thursday when the trio joined in full training, just two days before their first group E game against Cameroon in Niigata.

The Keane saga has hit the Ireland camp hard, and McCarthy knows nothing less than a successful tournament will cement his vulnerable position.

"We just want to put all the problems behind us and start winning games," he told reporters.

"The players have worked hard and are concentrating on the important business."

Keane, the Ireland captain, was sent home after a bust-up with McCarthy and despite speculation he could make a dramatic return, that possibility has now been ruled out.

Ireland's appeal to FIFA to call up Colin Healy as a replacement for Keane was unsuccessful, leaving McCarthy with just 22 players at his disposal.

McAteer will start on the right side of midfield if he can convince McCarthy he has recovered from a knee injury.

"I will only pick Jason if he's 100 percent fit," the English-born manager said.

Kinsella sat out training on Wednesday to rest a knee problem but returned on Thursday and is set to take his place alongside Matt Holland as Keane's deputy in central midfield.

Kilbane could play on the left of midfield after shaking off an ankle knock.

Ireland, who reached the 1990 World Cup quarter-finals, also face Germany and Saudi Arabia in group E.

Copyright 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

 


 
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