Keane may face FA misconduct charge

Roy Keane is at the centre of a Football Association investigation over the revelations in his new book, in which he admits to going out of his way to injure Alf Inge Haaland.

The Manchester United captain could be charged with bringing the game into disrepute following his confession of a pre-meditated foul on Manchester City's Norwegian player in a derby game two seasons ago. Haaland has also been in discussions with City, who are speaking with the FA about the references that show intent in Keane's mind.

An FA source last night said: "We are obviously concerned at Roy Keane's comments and the message he is sending out. We are conducting an investigation into this matter."

The clash between Keane and Haaland was provoked by an incident three years previously, which led to Keane being out of football for nearly a year with a cruciate knee ligament injury caused by a tackle he made on the Norwegian.

Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers Association, said today: "Whilst it may make good copy and profits for the book publishers and the writer, it puts Roy in a bad position. I think Roy has been ill-advised and his comments are ill-judged..

"He could face action from the FA, if not possibly legal action from Alfie Haaland..

"We tried at the time to calm things down between the two and we've had too many player v player cases..

"We don't want that to happen again, but this has just opened up old wounds again at an unfortunate time," Taylor said..

The United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed that Rio Ferdinand is likely to miss Saturday's Premiership opener with West Bromwich Albion. However, Ferguson does not believe the ankle injury sustained by the world's most expensive defender against Boca Juniors on Saturday will keep him out of the televised trip to Chelsea on 23 August.

On the international scene, Derek McInnes has earned his first call-up for Scotland. The West Bromwich captain has been named at the age of 31 by Berti Vogts in his squad for a friendly against Denmark at Hampden Park on 21 August and a European Championship qualifier away to the Faroe Isles on 7 September. McInnes said: "I thought the chance had passed me by. I was 31 last month and not many people get their first cap at that age. I've never been involved at any level for Scotland before – it's a big thing for me."

West Bromwich have had a club-record bid for the 28-year-old Ipswich Town and Iceland defender Hermann Hreidarsson accepted. The Midlands club have not disclosed the fee but have revealed it exceeds the £2.1m paid to Bristol Rovers for Jason Roberts two years ago. The Baggies have also said that they have rekindled their interest in the Leicester City midfielder Lee Marshall.

Leicester's former midfielder Robbie Savage, now of Birmingham City, will miss the first two games of the season. It has emerged that the Welshman collected his 15th booking of last season in his final game for Leicester against Tottenham Hotspur at Filbert Street.