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Keane training today with Shay Given in the background. INPHO/Donall Farmer
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'Striking options much stronger than at 2002 World Cup' - Robbie Keane

The Ireland skipper says all five of Giovanni Trapattoni’s front men are desperate to start against Croatia.

ROBBIE KEANE HAS paid tribute to his fellow Ireland strikers and says the talent in the current team is fair greater than what Mick McCarthy had at his disposal in South Korea and Japan.

In 2002, the LA Galaxy player was joined by Wimbledon’s David Connelly, Clinton Morrison of Crystal Palace, a 35-year-old Niall Quinn and winger Damien Duff, who was used out of position during the World Cup finals.

Ten years on, Giovanni Trapattoni possesses four forwards who have all tasted Premier League action this season and his record goalscoring captain. Speaking at an FAI press conference this afternoon, Keane said:

“It’s a lot stronger (up front). Quinny was at the end of his career, and knew he was going to be a bit part player.

Now, everybody is desperate to play in the first game. The intensity and level of performance is naturally going to go up. As strikers, the lads have been doing very well at club level.”

Despite the emergence of Shane Long, Jon Walters and Simon Cox, Giovanni Trapattoni has spoke openly of his admiration of a Keane-Doyle partnership in the past and will start with that duo against Bosnia Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow.

While Doyle has been out-of-sorts at Wolves in recent times, Keane remains the first choice striker but added that it is essential for them to produce the goods in Ireland’s final warm-up game before heading to Italy for a training camp.

“It’s important we stake a claim. I’ve played with Kevin the most but for me it’s very easy to play with them all.”

The 32-year-old arrived to Dublin from the US on Monday carrying a minor hamstring injury which forced him out of his club’s fixture with Chivas USA, and the Dubliner explained that he believes playing on an unfamiliar surface was to blame.

“We played the week before on an astro turf, which I’m not used to playing on. My body reacts differently as I’ve been playing so long on grass.

“I couldn’t sprint or even run three-quarter pace. Luckily, it wasn’t a tear.”

“Of course I was (worried). I knew it wasn’t too bad. It was a little nerve in the hamstring but I have trained the last few days and thankfully I’m okay.

“For any player, the last thing you want is an injury but I’d prefer a little niggle to a bad one. You may not believe it looking in from outside but it’s amazing what one or two days can do for you.”

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