THE HEAT IS ON

Intense scrutiny on O’Neill as details of alleged row leaked

MARTIN O’NEILL can expect to be grilled in Wroclaw today over reports that his assistant Roy Keane told Harry Arter he’d never pick him for Ireland if he was manager.

Further details emerged yesterday of Keane’s alleged expletive-ridden rant at the Cardiff City midfielder last June.

The Irish assistant manager is alleged to have told Arter he didn’t rate him as a player and that he’d never give him a game if he was in charge.

Keane reportedly called Arter a p***k and a w **** r in a row at the team hotel in Dublin before the USA friendly, in which Arter came on as a substitute.

Arter, 28, has since told O’Neill that he no longer wants to be considered for Ireland selection.

Ireland manager O’Neill took Keane’s side in the dispute and revealed that Keane has apologised to players before where he feels he has over-stepped the mark.

O’Neill says Keane has his permission to bawl out players, however this attack seems to be a personal one. The FAI did not have any comment when contacted last night.

able to play against the big sides the way he did, the way he would have done before. ‘We haven’t got a Robbie Keane now. That’s a major part of it when you’re not scoring enough.’ O’Neill is without Stephen Ward tomorrow after the left-back returned to Burnley with a foot injury sustained in the 4-1 loss to Wales last Thursday. His absence points to a start for Enda Stevens of Sheffield United, who is aware Ireland have to bounce back from Cardiff. ‘We’ve got to defend better, control the game better and pass the ball better,’ said Stevens. The Poles drew 1-1 with Italy in Bologna on Friday night in their

Nations League opener where dangerman, and captain, Robert Lewandoswki set up Piotr Zielinksi for the Polish goal. The Bayern Munich striker was tightly policed by the Italians and will look to add to his 55 international goals on his 100th appearance. REVISED REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Doyle (Hearts), McDermott (Kristiansund BK), Randolph (Middlesbrough).

Defenders: Coleman (Everton), Christie (Fulham), Doherty (Wolves), Duffy (Brighton), Keogh (Derby County), Clark (Newcastle Utd), Long (Burnley), Egan, Stevens (Sheffield Utd).

Midfielders: Judge (Brentford), Hendrick (Burnley), Hourihane (Aston Villa), S Williams (Millwall), Meyler (Reading), Horgan (Hibernian), O’Dowda (Bristol City);

Forwards: Burke, Robinson (Preston), O’Brien (Millwall), Curtis (Portsmouth).