ROY KEANE disclosed yesterday that he had been approached to sign for Wimbledon in the summer as part of the club's proposed plan to relocate in Dublin.

Keane, at the announcement in Manchester of a sports product endorsement scheme which will earn him £2 million over the next three years, said that the Wimbledon offer was one of several he considered.

"I was approached by the U2 people who told me that they were involved in the Wimbledon deal and wanted me to be part of the team to play in Dublin," he said. "At the time, I hadn't yet agreed to sign a new contract with Manchester United and also had inquiries from Barcelona, Real Madrid and AC Milan.

"It was all very flattering, but deep down I wanted to stay at Old Trafford. And when Alex Ferguson offered me the right contract, I had no hesitation in accepting.

"Manchester United is a huge club with a great tradition and I am very happy to be part of it. We've had a disappointing time of late but that is not going to last forever."

The sponsorship deal moves Keane, already reputed to be the highest paid player at Manchester United, closer to the top of the list of Britain's biggest moneyearners earners in sport.

Meanwhile, Steve Staunton hopes to play his first game in a month for Aston Villa in tomorrow's Premiership meeting with Coventry City.

The Republic of Ireland defender damaged a hamstring in the game against Leeds United on October 19th and among other things, it cost him a place in the World Cup meeting with Iceland earlier this month. After testing his leg in training yesterday, he now believes that he is fit enough to play tomorrow.

Frank Stapleton, who parted company with the Boston club, New England Revolution last month, is now planning to restart his managerial career in Britain in the New Year.

Stapleton, who has been linked with the FAI's newly created post of National Under 16 coach, has sorted out his contractual difficulties with the Boston club and is now a free agent.

"I enjoyed the American experience, but essentially, there is no substitute for the game on this side of the Atlantic," he said. "There are a number of things in the offing, but at this point I am taking a holiday with my family in Dublin.

Stapleton was one of a number of former international players present at the launch of the FAI's official history in Dublin yesterday. The book marks the association's 75th anniversary and contains a detailed record of all 325 games played by the national team to date.

Among the attendance, drawn from all strands of Irish football, were Mick Meagan, the first national team manager, his successor, Liam Tuohy, and the present incumbent, Mick McCarthy.

McCarthy's choice as one of the Republic of Ireland strikers in our match against Iceland, Tony Cascarino, could soon be leaving French first division club Marseille.

Sources at the club said yesterday that Marseille officials would hold talks with fellow French club Caen this weekend in a bid to secure a transfer deal for the 34 year old Cascarino.

The former Gillingham, Millwall, Aston Villa, Celtic and Chelsea forward joined the former European champions two years ago but has not played in the first team this season.

Quite a few Dundalk soccer followers turned up at Oriel Park last night to see McCarthy take charge of a training session of the Dundalk squad. The Irish manager knows John Hewitt, the Dundalk manager, from his days with Glasgow Celtic.

It is believed that McCarthy intends to visit most of the League of Ireland premier division clubs over the coming months.