ROY KEANE'S participation in the Republic of Ireland's meeting with Portugal on Wednesday is in some doubt after he failed to appear for yesterday's testimonial game at Lansdowne Road.
Efforts throughout the day to establish Keane's whereabouts all failed, and last night Mick McCarthy was forced to admit that he had been unable to make contact with the player.
"I have not had even a phone call about Roy and at this stage of our development, that is disappointing" he said.
"A message was communicated to the FAI in midweek that he had a bit of a hamstring problem, but apart from that there has been no contact.
"I'll now have to start looking for him. I'm putting no deadlines on Roy's arrival, for he is one of the best players in England and I want him in my team."
Earlier, Manchester United officials said Keane was recovering from a hamstring injury. But while he was never expected to play in yesterday's game, his no show at the team hotel was disappointing.
It presents McCarthy with a problem which he could well have done without at this point, but the message would appear to be - that there is still a welcome awaiting the prodigal son.
Keane has been involved in a number of well publicised disciplinary incidents in club football and angered Jack Charlton by playing in only three of the Republic's 11 games in the European championship qualifying campaign. This is the first occasion, however, that he has failed to fulfil a commitment to the national squad.
Meanwhile, Packie Bonner, who will accompany the Irish team on their end of season tour as a goalkeeping coach, has signed a new one year playing contract with Celtic. It ends speculation that Bonner, the last link with the Jock Stein era at Parkhead, was contemplating retirement.
"It's a gesture of faith by the club, which I appreciate," he said. "I have no illusions about where I stand in the pecking order at Celtic, but I aim to stay sharp enough to do an emergency job for the club if needed.
"I will still be responsible for coaching the goalkeepers at Parkhead and next season my brief will be expanded to allow me to work with outfield players".
