The Roy Keane saga has had every Irish man, woman and child on the edge of there seats. We all want the same thing, the situation resloved, apolgies where necessary and Roy back in the camp where he belongs'. With all of the main soccer Websites' having record hits all of last week and this week its not surprising. Theres Polls' available ranging from "Should Roy be allowed back" to "Should Mick resign", but its' a real shame that the important Republic of Ireland team news is being overlooked. Issues which effect the future of our Lads, not only in the World Cup but in their domestic careers. And MOST importantly the National Teams future success. Jason McAteer is said to be "making very good progress" by medical experts and he began jogging for the first time since badly bruising his knee during Saturday's warm-up match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. He still has heavy strapping on his knee, but Mick McCarthy has not ruled him out of contention for the Cameroon match. Phil Babb is moving back to the Premier league from Portuguese giants "Sporting Lisbon". David O'Leary is showing an interest in our central midfielder, Matt Holland. The ex Republic of Ireland boss wants the Leiscester star at Elland Road in a reported £5mil GBP deal. And theres now no injury worries within the Irish camp in Japan with Breen, Carsley and Kilbane having shaken off their knocks. Of the 22 players in Japan, McAteer is our only injured player.

Quinn, was innocently at the centre of the fiasco again, but for many reasons, he would rather not be in this situation. Quinn addressed the Press Conference in Japan to respond to the 'Player's Statement' issued earlier today through FAI Media Officer Brendan McKenna. Quinn who was visibly upset admitted that the statement should not have entered the public domain when it did:" In some ways we have to apologise for that. It came out way too soon. At breakfast Mick called a meeting. He left the meeting and asked us to chat amongst ourselves. All 22 players voted unanimously to back Mick when it came to a vote. There was no lobbying at all. Every single player was asked for their opinion and we came out of the meeting with the statement as you see it."

Mick McCarthy has clarified his position following unorganised press conference in Izumo and said that he is ready to welcome Keane back. "Once there's a private conversation between myself and Roy - man to man, we can sort this thing out. Once that phone call comes, I will talk to the players and staff and we'll take it from there".

McCarthy has also clarified his position on the meeting with the players which Niall Quinn claimed left them with no alternative but to back their boss - in essence an ultimatum: "I told the players that I would walk if I was asked to accept Roy back without an apology. And that's still the case"."