Keane decides to end Ireland exile
 |  Combative Keane can't wait to make his Ireland comeback |
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DUBLIN, Ireland -- Manchester United captain Roy Keane has agreed to play for Ireland again, two years after storming out of the squad on the eve of the World Cup finals.
The 32-year-old midfielder met current Republic manager Brian Kerr last week when he made it clear he wanted to play international football again.
"I am glad that one of the greatest players ever to play for Ireland has chosen this path," Kerr said in an FAI statement.
Keane had turned his back on his country following a row with then manager Mick McCarthy which saw him sent home from a training camp shortly before the 2002 Finals in Japan and South Korea.
The 32-year-old will be back for the World Cup qualifying campaign later this year, the Football Association of Ireland confirmed in a statement.
"It cannot have been an easy decision for him but his desire to represent his country is immense," Kerr added.
"We met last week and discussed everything about his decision in great detail.
"He had addressed the issue with his club before that meeting and they are aware of his decision to make himself available for international duty with immediate effect."
Kerr explained that the biggest stumbling block had been in injury-prone Keane reaching agreement over his international future with United manager Alex Ferguson.
"Since our initial meeting following my appointment 15 months ago, when the player had clearly indicated his desire to play for Ireland, we have been in occasional contact," Kerr said.
"The issue for him was establishing a basis by which his club, Manchester United, would facilitate that desire. Roy Keane had to resolve that problem himself."
However, Ferguson, speaking before United's Premier League match against Leicester, said: "I'm pleased for Roy. I think he has made a good decision. I support it 100 percent."
Kerr added: "I look forward to working with Roy Keane. He brings quality and experience to a potentially excellent squad of players whose sole focus is the World Cup qualifying matches next autumn."
In February Keane hinted he was contemplating a comeback to the Republic's colours.
"I have always said I have missed international football - but then felt it was important to move on," Keane explained.
"But part of me has always said that I had unfinished business and it will always be that way."
Ireland are due to begin their qualifying campaign for the 2006 World Cup Finals in September against Cyprus.
Keane's self-imposed exile from international football at the start of Kerr's reign meant he missed the Republic's unsuccesful bid to qualify for this June's Euro 2004 Championships in Portugal.
