Keane faces fitness test

The Republic of Ireland captain, Roy Keane, remains doubtful for the World Cup qualifier with the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Saturday.

The Republic of Ireland captain, Roy Keane, remains doubtful for the World Cup qualifier with the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Saturday.

The Manchester United midfielder played briefly in a seven-a-side game without straining his injured back in yesterday's training session in Dublin. "We will just have to wait and see," Keane said. "I am happy that I will be able to join the rest of the lads in Holland."

Definitely out is the Ipswich Town midfielder Matt Holland, who has an ankle injury. The problems are piling up for the Irish manager, Mick McCarthy, with the Manchester City winger Mark Kennedy and the Sporting Lisbon defender Phil Babb sent home in disgrace on Tuesday after appearing in court charged with drunken and abusive behaviour and causing criminal damage. He has called up the Middlesbrough defender Curtis Fleming and the Stoke midfielder Graham Kavanagh.

Kennedy has received the support of Manchester City - but the Maine Road club have expressed their disappointment at their winger's conduct in Dublin.

City issued a statement on behalf of their chairman, David Bernstein, which read: "As a club that prides itself on its unity and loyalty, we will always be supportive of our players and staff. However, if the allegations against Mark Kennedy are substantiated, the club would be very disappointed at his behaviour which would have let down his country, Manchester City and not least the player himself."