• MLS

Keane eyes Premier League return

ESPN staff
November 16, 2012
Robbie Keane wants to stay sharp for Ireland © PA Photos
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Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane is eyeing up a return to the Premier League in January, but he is not planning on a permanent walk out from LA Galaxy.

Keane enjoyed a successful loan spell at Aston Villa during the MLS off-season at the start of 2012 and his international manager has revealed he is hoping for a similar move to ensure he is in the best shape possible for his country's crucial World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria in March.

"Robbie spoke to me about this situation, after last month's game against the Faroes Islands," Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni said. "If he has this opportunity, it's his decision. He has to make up his own mind, but in life it's very important to have new challenges and if it suits him, it'll be an injection for him.

"If he stays in America, he would have no football for three months, but his club have a tour in Malaysia. He has family - a wife and child - and until now he has not decided about what to do."

Villa may well be interested in re-signing Keane on a temporary basis in January, with his availability likely to catch the eye of several Premier League managers in the coming weeks.

Keane currently sits in 11th place on the all-time Premier League goalscorer list, with 126 goals to his name from spells with Leeds, Tottenham and Liverpool, West Ham and Villa.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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