Robbie Keane will lead the line against world champions Spain on Thursday night after pleading with Giovanni Trapattoni not to drop him.

The Republic of Ireland manager is ready to ditch his rigid 4-4-2 system in Gdansk to counter the Spanish threat following Ireland’s opening defeat to Croatia and he may spring a surprise by starting Simon Cox as the fifth midfielder.

Trapattoni’s decision to break with routine and not name his team ahead of time suggested indecision and following his ineffective contribution in the 3-1 defeat in Poznan, the Italian was contemplating ditching Ireland’s record goalscorer.

Pleaded: Robbie Keane asked his manager if he could start

But captain Keane convinced Trapattoni at a team meeting that he, rather than willing runners Jonathan Walters or Kevin Doyle, is the man to lead the line and the 31-year-old will wear the armband as Ireland look to keep their faint Euro 2012 hopes alive.

Keane says he will play his part in a bid to counter a Spanish side also looking to improve after drawing 1-1 with Italy.

It is understood Trapattoni was mulling over playing Keane, Walters or Cox in the hole and may spring the shock of his reign by plumping for West Brom reserve Cox.

If the 25-year-old plays there, Ireland will forgo the strength of Doyle or Walters or the pace of Shane Long that would be needed to hit a suspect Spanish defence on the break to make the best of little possession.

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