Former Republic of Ireland striker Frank Stapleton admits reaction to Roy Keane's international return will be mixed but believes the player's return will benefit the team.
Stapleton said: "I think the fans will be as split as they were when Mick McCarthy lost his job. But a bit of time has gone and the fact they have not qualified for Euro 2004 will remind people. It is a boost for Irish football, forget what happened in the past.
"I think any possibility that improves chances of getting to the World Cup finals, the players will welcome it."
Keane's former international team-mate Ray Houghton believes Ireland need the United skipper and missed him during their unsuccessful attempt to qualify for Euro 2004.
Houghton said: "I think the timing is strange, there are no World Cup qualifiers until September, but after watching them recently against Brazil and the Czech Republic he's maybe seen it's the thing he's been missing.
"Maybe he's let them down in the past and has something to prove. He's got considerable experience and they've been missing that. The players have got to be big enough to understand the decision and got to put dislikes behind them. He's doing it for the good of the country."
Kevin Moran, who won 71 caps for the Republic, believes Keane increases the country's chances of reaching the 2006 World Cup.
He said: "If Roy comes back, it can only augur well for Ireland. The World Cup is coming up and Roy Keane in the set-up gives Ireland a better chance for the qualifiers.
"I'm surprised it's coming out now and he didn't make himself available for the Euro qualifiers, but you have got to look to the future. I think Roy Keane making himself available is good news for Brian Kerr."
PA