Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has again reassured fans that captain Roy Keane is on course to be fit for the World Cup finals.
Keane suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Manchester United in the Champions League two weeks ago.
"United's doctor contacted me four or five days after Roy was injured and felt confident he would be back within four weeks," McCarthy told today's Daily Express.
"There was talk he had a knee problem as well and could be out for six months - but I knew if that was the case Roy would have phoned me and said: 'That's it.'
"I don't need to chase him. He tends to talk to our physio Mick Byrne and always tells him: 'Don't believe anything you hear or read unless you hear it from me.'
"Roy is one of the fittest guys in the Premiership and I'm confident he will be okay for the World Cup."
PA