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02nd Jun 2016

Robbie Keane’s injury update is both good and bad news for Ireland

Tony Cuddihy

Ireland’s record goalscorer is touch and go for Ireland’s Euro 2016 opener against Sweden.

Robbie Keane says Ireland’s second Group E game against Belgium is his most likely return date from a calf injury, although he may be fit for the opener against Sweden on 13 June.

Ireland’s captain was named in Martin O’Neill’s 23-man squad on Tuesday despite suffering a calf injury at the weekend, and he says the problem could have been a lot worse.

“It’s never nice when you get injured but, certainly at this stage with the European Championships,” he told FAI TV.

“Lucky for me it’s not as bad as I first thought, I thought it was going to be a lot longer. They’re saying a couple of weeks, which would maybe get me for the Sweden game, or if I miss that one I’ll definitely be ready for the second game.

“It’s bad news but it could have been a lot worse.”