Keane expected to play

Republic Of Ireland skipper Roy Keane is currently still on course to feature in next Saturday's vital World Cup qualifier against The Netherlands, despite a spate of reports yesterday claiming that he would be out for up to three weeks after sustaining an ankle injury in Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers.

Sources close to the player said yesterday that the 30-year-old was okay and "fully expected" to play in tomorrow's premiership game at Villa Park while Alex Ferguson is reported to have confirmed the player's fitness and the fact that he will play this weekend.

Earlier reports had indicated that Keane was struggling badly after the injury, which didn't necessitate him coming off at Ewood Park, had appear to worsen over-night. But these were apparently described by Ferguson as "scare stories".

Mick McCarthy's goalkeeping options seemed to be up in the air somewhat as Newcastle United manager Bobby Robson hinted that he may drop Shay Given after two disappointing performances for the club over the past week and Alan Kelly completed a loan move to Birmingham City that will provide a much-needed opportunity for the 32-year-old to play first-team football.

Asked about Given's place in his team following the Irishman's howler at Chelsea last week and generally below par performance in the Inter-Toto Cup final second-leg against Troyes on Tuesday night, Robson remarked that, "I have several things to do this afternoon and one of them is to talk to Shay.

"I've had two days to think about it and I have another two. But what I will say is that I have to put out the best team under the circumstances to play the game."

Robson had initially indicated after the game that he would stick with the Donegal man but on Wednesday night, Given's rival for the goalkeeper's jersey, Steve Harper, was withdrawn from a friendly reserve game, suggesting that he was required to join up with the first-team panel instead.

Kelly, meanwhile, received a boost yesterday when he completed his loan move from Blackburn to Birmingham. He is expected to make his debut for the club this afternoon at Walsall.

City manager Trevor Francis, who is without Nico Vaesen and Ian Bennett both of whom have picked up injuries, received a special dispensation from the league to bring in Kelly who he described yesterday as the "best third choice goalkeeper in the premiership".

Francis has received permission from McCarthy to play Kelly in Monday's home game against Stockport County, before the player returns to Dublin in order to join up with the Irish squad.

Gary Doherty received some good news too yesterday when David Elleray conceded he made a mistake in showing the player a red card during Monday night's premiership game with Everton.

It is now expected that the card will be cancelled.