O’Neill hopes Keane and Arter can sort out their differences
Martin O’Neill has not given up hope of having Declan Rice, Harry Arter and Seamus Coleman back for what he admits may be a must-win Nations League double-header next month.
The Republic of Ireland boss had to do without all three for Tuesday night’s 1-1 friendly draw in Poland, with Rice considering overtures from England, Arter having made himself unavailable after a training ground row with assistant boss Roy Keane, and Coleman out with a stress fracture to his foot.
However, he is hoping to have some of that trio at his disposal as Denmark and Wales head for Dublin in October, with injured duo Robbie Brady and James McCarthy also making progress.
Having revealed after the game in Wroclaw that he was keeping his fingers crossed over Coleman, O’Neill said when asked about a possible reconciliation between Arter and Keane: “As I already mentioned, I think there is every possibility of a reconciliation and I’m just hoping that will materialise.”
On Rice, who has three caps to his name, but is yet to make a competitive appearance for Ireland, O’Neill was circumspect with England counterpart Gareth Southgate having also made his interest known.
He said: “I don’t know any more than you do at this particular juncture. Honestly, genuinely don’t. There’s no point in me commenting until I get to talk to the people again.”
Ireland will at least head into the October fixtures buoyed by a much-improved display against the Poles, who levelled right at the death.