When Brian Kerr is officially confirmed as the new Republic of Ireland manager in the next few days, he will immediately test the water for the return of Roy Keane.

FAI officials will urge Kerr to meet with the former skipper to establish whether he is willing to play for his country again.

It is believed that the Keane issue featured strongly when the FAI officials interviewed the seven leading candidates.

Kerr, an unflappable Dubliner, is due to meet up with the FAI this week when he returns from a successful under-20 tournament in the United Arab Emirates.

Spurs' coach Chris Hughton will assist Kerr

Once all the contract details have been sorted out, then Kerr will get down to some serious work.

Kerr has already made his intentions known that he plans to urge the Manchester United star to come back into the international fold.

It is believed that Kerr just got the nod over Bryan Robson who had lined up Keane for a hands-on role as part of the back-up team that included Don Howe.

The committee had also considered the possibility of Kerr working in tandem with Frenchman Phillipe Troussier.

Kerr will also busy himself with his own back-room staff with the 53-times capped former Spurs full-back Chris Hughton a likely choice as his assistant.

Hughton is the present first-team coach at White Hart Lane and it is thought he would be able to combine both jobs.