Martin O'Neill wants Robbie Keane at Euro 2016 as player or coach

Martin O'Neill has revealed he would like Robbie Keane at the European Championships in the summer - even if he is not part of the Republic of Ireland squad.

The 35-year old striker will not feature in Tuesday night's friendly international against Slovakia after failing to recover from a knee injury sustained while playing for LA Galaxy.

Keane is almost certain to have recovered in time for the summer's tournament, but Ireland boss O'Neill says he would be eager to have the country's most-capped player in France, even if it was not in a playing capacity.

Keane, who is currently studying for his coaching badges, has revealed previously that he would love one day to be a part of the Ireland coaching set-up.

"I think Robbie would be thinking he'd want to make the final 23 first and foremost," said O'Neill.

"We'll see how things develop after that, but he has been very influential in the group. He's been very supportive while he's been here.

"Even when he hasn't started, he's still with the team, so that is a thought, I must admit."

Another player who will not feature at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday is goalkeeper Shay Given, who was not called up to the squad.

Given, who will be 40 by the time Euro 2016 kicks-off, has not featured in the Premier League this season for Stoke, although he could now get a chance with the Potters after first-choice Jack Butland was ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken ankle.

And O'Neill insists he would have no problem bringing Given back into the fold, should he perform well at club level once again.

"It's unfortunate for the young 'keeper [Butland], but if that gives Shay an opportunity to play between now and the end of the season, of course it gives him a really good chance."

O'Neill goes into the clash with Slovakia with just one fit striker, in Southampton's Shane Long. That is after Kevin Doyle was injured during Friday's 1-0 win over Switzerland, while Jon Walters and Daryl Murphy have returned to their clubs, and the Ireland manager has admitted preparations have been far from ideal.

"It's been a bit of a disruption, of course. I wanted Kevin Doyle to play. He started the [Switzerland] game and I wanted him to play for at least an hour, if not the whole game depending on how fit he was and how he was feeling," added O'Neill.

"I was probably thinking Robbie Keane would be involved at one stage over the two games, and I really thought that Jon Walters would be fit as well. So yes, it was a bit of a disruption, but these things happen."

The Republic have also confirmed they will play Belarus in their final warm-up for Euro 2016 at Turner's Cross in Cork on May 31.

That match will come in the middle of their training camp at the Fota Island resort, which starts the day before they face Belarus for the first time.