Ireland striker Robbie Keane may miss match vs Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane faces a race against time to be fit for Tuesday's, October 11 decisive Euro 2012 qualifier against Armenia.

The LA Galaxy striker complained of a sore abductor muscle after Friday's win over Andorra and is scheduled to undergo scans.

"Giovanni Trapattoni has said that Robbie Keane is a strong doubt ahead of Tuesday's match," said the FAI.

The Republic need a point on Tuesday to guarantee a play-off spot.

Mathematically, the Irish could still win the group but it appears highly unlikely as they need Andorra to beat Russia on Tuesday evening.

Dubliner Keane is Ireland's record scorer with 51 goals and his absence would be a major blow for Trapattoni.

Keane has embarked upon a series of gruelling trans-Atlantic journeys to play for the Republic since heading to the United States, although he insisted earlier this week that he is feeling no ill effects.

The Irish manager has no other injury problems and his squad was boosted on Saturday by the arrival of Stoke forward Jonathan Walters, who was forced to miss the Andorra match because of an ankle problem.

Full-back Stephen Ward is ruled out by suspension after being booked in Andorra but Richard Dunne is available again after being banned for Friday's game, BBC Sport reported.