Keane is stretchered off at Lansdowne Road Match report: Republic of Ireland 2-1 Australia

The Republic of Ireland and Tottenham face a nervous wait to discover the extent of striker Robbie Keane's ankle injury.

Keane was carried off on a stretcher during the Republic's 2-1 friendly win over Australia on Tuesday, prompting fears he could be out for up to six weeks.

If that proves to be the case, Keane would miss the vital Euro 2004 qualifying game against Russia on 6 September as well as several Premiership games for his club.

"Robbie twisted his right ankle and fell just after having a shot," said Republic boss Brian Kerr.

"He is quite sore at the moment but we won't know how serious it is for a couple of days.

"Matt Holland has a slight twist of his ankle and felt sore and I took him off immediately. I would say they are both ligament problems."

If he had had another day he would most probably have been okay but it's a big risk and we don't really want to take that with a player of his calibre Australia coach Frank Farina on Harry Kewell's absence due to injury

Despite the loss of Keane, Republic boss Kerr was in upbeat mood following his side's win over Australia.

Leeds frontman Mark Viduka gave the visitors the lead before John O'Shea scored his first international goal to level matters.

Birmingham striker Clinton Morrision then grabbed the winner.

"The fact that we were behind and came back to win a game was good," said Kerr.

"It is the first time we've been behind recently so it shows we can up our game a bit when the pressure is on.

"Australia played very well as I expected. They seem to have a lot of desire and I think it is very hard on them that they lost the match overall."

Viduka's goal was not enough for Australia

Australia's manager Frank Farina was without Harry Kewell, who was sidelined with a recurrence of his long-standing Achilles injury.

"If he (Kewell) had had another day he would most probably have been okay but it's a big risk and we don't really want to take that with a player of his calibre," said Farina.

"It is very disappointing to lose in the manner we did and we had three one on ones and hit the bar. But that's life. The manner in which we played was very good."