New Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has announced his intention to persuade former skipper Roy Keane back into the international fold.

Keane was sent home from the Republic camp just before the World Cup in Japan and Korea following an infamous bust-up with Mick McCarthy.

There has been a lot of speculation about whether Keane would return to side once a new manager was named.

At his first media conference on Tuesday, Kerr said he wanted to have the best team possible on the pitch.

'Limited pool'

"I do not think anyone here today would expect me to be foolish enough to tell you how I am going to handle the situation," said Kerr.

"I want Ireland to have the best team out on the pitch. We have a limited pool to pick from and I want the best team to play.

"I have a plan in mind how I am going to deal with it but I want the best players to play for us and you - this is everybody's team.

Roy Keane was sent home before the World Cup finals

"I am not going to tell you now how I am going to deal with it.

"I have got no agendas with any players from the past - I want the players to show me they are good enough to play in our team."

Responding to the issue of the Manchester United skipper's poisition, Keane's lawyer Michael Kennedy said he did not know what would happen.

"I have no idea whether he would return," said Kennedy.

"Brian Kerr has not talked to him.

"It is very much Roy's decision and we will just have wait to see what happens."

Kerr, a 49-year-old Dubliner, takes over two games into Ireland's Euro 2004 qualifying campaign.

Despite losing in Russia and at home to Switzerland, the new boss feels Ireland still had a great chance to make it to the finals in Portugal.

"The team have a lot to do. They were a good team before and have six games left," said Kerr.

"We have difficult games ahead and it is no easy task, but what we will do as a team is do our utmost to achieve the results.

"It is achievable, if we do not get there automatically, then there is the play-off place."