Keane faces two disrepute charges, the first for being "improperly motivated" in his now infamous challenge on Alf Inge Haaland.

The second charge surrounds the publication of the incident in his book, which the FA says was "for financial profit or gain".

Keane faces a fine and could also be banned for anything up to 10 matches.

But the Daily Express newspaper claims Keane will fight the charges, aided by his agent, solicitor Michael Kennedy, and Manchester United director Maurice Watkins, who is a lawyer.

The Express claims Keane will fight on three fronts:

• That Haaland admitted on his website and in a newspaper column that Keane's tackle was not to blame for his crippling knee injury.

• That Keane has already served a suspension for the offence and should not be banned twice for the same incident.

• That ghostwriter Eamonn Dunphy inaccurately paraphrased his comments in the autobiography.

That final defence may prove the most crucial, especially given Keane's recent claim that he has never deliberately set out to hurt anyone.

Keane already faces a three-match ban for his red card against Sunderland last weekend.

But a six-week lay-off following a hip operation means he will already have served the ban by the time he is fit to return.

However, any FA ban would almost certainly have to be served by the United captain, at least in part.