Soccer

Keane may return against Stoke

Soccer: Giovanni Trapattoni got his first positive injury update in some time today, when it emerged Robbie Keane is likely …

Fri Mar 11 2011 - 00:00

Soccer:Giovanni Trapattoni got his first positive injury update in some time today, when it emerged Robbie Keane is likely to be in West Ham's FA Cup squad to face Stoke City in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

The Republic of Ireland manager is due to name his squad to face Macedonia in the Euro 2012 Group B qualifier on Monday and is already planning for the March 26th game without senior members Richard Dunne and Shay Given.

There have been doubts over Keane’s fitness, as well, but Hammers manager Avram Grant says he has improved and will be in the matchday squad if he comes through training tomorrow unscathed.

"Robbie Keane is better than he was and we will see how he is after training," said Grant today. "When he came into the team before, against Blackpool and Birmingham, we did well. Competition for places is good, but there is always a place for good players in the team."

READ MORE

Grant added: “Robbie came in at a very hard time for the team when we had a lot of injuries, played well and then got injured,” Grant said. “He was important for us in the short term. He is a good player to have in the dressing room as well and I just hope he will be fit and OK now.”

Keane, who has been sidelined with a calf injury, was likely to be named in the Ireland squad anyway - with 12 days before the announcement and the visit of Macedonia - but, as has been the case for some time now, the captain needs games.

An appearance of some description against Stoke will be vital ahead of the crucial qualifier, given the only other game for West Ham between Sunday and March 26th is a league meeting with Keane's parent club Tottenham, whom he is unlikely to be permitted to face.

Hammers midfielder Scott Parker suffered a minor shoulder injury during the Hammers’ 3-0 win over the Potters last week but is available for Sunday’s clash at the Britannia Stadium.

West Ham provisional squad:Green, Jacobsen, Tomkins, Upson, Bridge, Parker, Noble, Hitzlsperger, Piquionne, Spector, Ba, Cole, Boffin, Reid, Da Costa, Boa Morte, Hines, Obinna, Keane.