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Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane ruled out of Belarus friendly

 Robbie Keane of Republic of Ireland
Image: Robbie Keane is a major doubt for the European Championship after suffering a calf injury in training

Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane faces a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of the European Championship in France.

Keane, 35, was expected to start Ireland's final warm-up game against Belarus in Cork on Tuesday night but has withdrawn from the squad after suffering an injury to his calf in training.

The veteran LA Galaxy striker, who has won 143 caps for his country, has since been given an injection and remains a doubt for Ireland's first match of the tournament against Sweden on June 13.

It is unclear if Ireland manager Martin O'Neill will take a risk on including Keane in his final 23-man squad for the Euros.

Robbie Keane #7 of Los Angeles Galaxy celebrates after scoring on a penalty kick in the second half of their MLS match against D.C.
Image: Keane is hopeful of making a full recovery before the start of the Euros

"We did some training on Saturday morning and he felt his calf at the end of training, so we're just taking it on a daily basis," said the Ireland boss.

"He won't play tomorrow night in the game. I don't think it's worth risking that. But he is, as he says, a quick healer so we'll see how it goes."

O'Neill revealed that Keane was hopeful of returning to full fitness before the start of the tournament but refused to comment on the striker's chances of making the final squad.

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"I couldn't say at the moment, but I think he's pretty hopeful," said O'Neill.

DUBLIN, IRELAND - MARCH 25:  Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill during the international friendly match between the Republic of Ireland and Switzer
Image: Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill is expected to name his final 23-man squad for the Euros on Tuesday

"He had it scanned and it's hopefully not too serious, but enough to put him in jeopardy for a while, so we'll see how it is. He had an injection this morning and we'll see how it is when it settles down.

"First of all, I'll get a better update when another 24 hours pass. He had an injection this morning, so he wasn't going to participate in any training today anyway. I'll see how he is.

"Again, Robbie is a pretty quick healer - he says that himself. He is the captain of the team, we would want him to be there and there's not much more I can tell you."

Republic of Ireland's midfielder Harry Arter vies with England's striker Jamie Vardy (R)
Image: Harry Arter is also a doubt after suffering a thigh injury in traning

One player that will be available to O'Neill is Everton's James McCarthy, who trained for the first time in a week after recovering from a thigh injury.

However, Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter is also a doubt for the Euros after limping out of training with a suspected thigh problem.

Keane's injury comes as a blow to Ireland, who are placed in the so-called 'Group of Death', Group E, alongside Sweden, Belgium and Italy. 

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