Keane to miss Italy match

"It's not too serious," said Republic of Ireland manager, Brian Kerr. "I knew from Friday that he might be out, but Spurs were disappointed he couldn't play [on Saturday] after his ankle swelled up. Robbie felt if he had another few days he could have played, but I can understand Spurs not wanting him to play."

While Keane has withdrawn, Richard Dunne, Graham Kavanagh and Matt Holland have all joined the squad despite being left out of their respective club games over the weekend.

All three were absent as they were deemed short of match fitness after missing parts of pre-season training through injury.

However, all three can expect some action against the Italians at Lansdowne Road, with the Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce happy for Dunne to play.

"I knew from talking to Richard that he felt fine but the fact that he hadn't trained with the team meant he wasn't used in the league," Kerr added. "But Stuart [Pearce] is anxious that he gets plenty of football. It's the same situation if Graham Kavanagh is going to be fit. Mattie Holland had a bit of a problem with his shoulder and didn't play for Charlton and we'll give him action too."

The Scotland manager Walter Smith has decided not to call up replacements after Paul Hartley and Lee McCulloch pulled out ahead of tomorrow's friendly in Austria.

McCulloch, a Wigan midfielder, had been ruled out by a knee injury while Hearts playmaker Hartley was hurt during Sunday's 3-0 win against Dundee United that took the Jambos back to the top of the Scottish Premier League.

Aberdeen's Russell Anderson was passed fit, however, after taking a boot in the face during his side's 3-2 victory over Rangers.

The match at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium in Graz is the final warm up match ahead of the must-win World Cup qualifier at home to Italy next month, which is quickly followed by a trip to Norway.