Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has pleaded with captain Roy Keane to stay in international retirement.

New Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has hinted he will try to tempt Keane back into the fold in the wake of his World Cup walk out after a row with Mick McCarthy.

But Ferguson wants the influential Keane to concentrate on his Old Trafford career in an attempt to ensure he stays free from injury.

He said: "People are assuming that he is just going to go straight back into international football.

"But the situation is more complicated than that. I think the medical staff who look after Roy may be the key people in him reaching a decision.

"People forget that Roy has just had a major operation at 31 years of age and has been out for four months.

"That is the crucial factor and I'll tell him that."

Ferguson added: "Roy's hip problem is something we will have to keep an eye on, even though he's had the operation.

"Because of the nature of his injury and the surgery he has had, he goes through a regular exercise routine before and after each game.

"I'll sit down with Roy and let him know what I think. You only have to look at how Alan Shearer has benefited from not playing for England to see that it can help players of Roy's age.

"Shearer discovered that you can't please three parts of the football equation.

"Maybe Roy would be better just settling for two - Manchester United and himself."