Republic of Ireland

Robbie Keane left out of Republic of Ireland squad for Serbia friendly

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 20 February 2014

Robbie Keane is left out of Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland squad to face Serbia in an international friendly in Dublin on March 5.

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has left striker Robbie Keane out of his squad to face Serbia in an international friendly on March 5.

The Football Association of Ireland have confirmed that Keane will play no part in the Dublin match after O'Neill agreed to let the forward remain with Los Angeles Galaxy ahead of the new MLS season on March 8.

Goalkeeper Shay Given was linked with a possible return to the setup following a successful loan spell with Middlesbrough, but has not been included; nor has Stoke City's Stephen Ireland.

O'Neill said in a press conference: "Our game against Serbia will provide us with great preparation ahead of the first of our European qualifiers in September.

"I enjoyed working with the players in November for my first taste of international football, and am looking forward to assembling the squad once again in March."

Republic of Ireland squad to face Serbia:

David Forde, Darren Randolph, Rob Elliot, Richard Keogh, Marc Wilson, Seamus Coleman, John O'Shea, Alex Pearce, Stephen Kelly, Damien Delaney, Richard Dunne, James McCarthy, Ciaran Clark, Stephen Ward, Glenn Whelan, Paul Green, Andy Reid, Aiden McGeady, Anthony Pilkington, James McClean, Stephen Quinn, David Meyler, Wes Hoolahan, Shane Long, Daryl Murphy, Jon Walters, Kevin Doyle, Anthony Stokes, Simon Cox