Loss: Giovanni Trapattoni will have to plan without his captain

Then there is next month’s play-off. West Bromwich record signing Shane Long is favourite to step into Keane’s shoes and partner former Reading team-mate Kevin Doyle, who notched his 10th Ireland goal in Andorra.

Trapattoni also has Long’s West Bromwich colleague Simon Cox or Stoke’s Jon Walters, who joined the squad over the weekend after missing the Andorra game with an ankle problem. The Italian still refuses to call up Newcastle’s Leon Best, however.

Keane’s absence is a blow for Ireland, who face an Armenia side who have won their last three games, scoring 11 goals. His captain’s armband will go to goalkeeper and record cap-holder Shay Given.

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