Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has urged Roy Keane to follow Alan Shearer's example by quitting international football to prolong his Old Trafford career.
Keane missed the Republic of Ireland's World Cup campaign after a high-profile falling out with Mick McCarthy but he could return to the international fray under new manager Brian Kerr.
But Ferguson claims recent injuries could see his captain retire from the international scene.
Ferguson told the Sunday People: "People are assuming that he is just going to go straight back into international football. But the situation is more complicated than that.
"I think the medical staff who look after Roy may be the key people in him reaching his decision.
"I'll sit down with Roy and let him know what I think. But you only have to look at how Alan Shearer has benefited from not playing for England to see that it can help players of Roy's age.
"I'll point to Shearer as an example of what can be achieved by players in their 30s opting out of the international game.
"Shearer discovered that you can't please three parts of the football equation. Maybe Roy would be better settling for just two - Manchester United and himself."
PA