Robbie Keane ruled out of Ireland clash with Germany

Oct 11, 2012 11:29:00 AM

The national team captain has failed a Thursday morning fitness test due to an Achilles tendon injury and will miss the World Cup qualifier on Friday night

Robbie Keane has been ruled out of Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying clash with Germany due to injury.

An ongoing Achilles tendon problem caused the captain to fail a Thursday morning fitness test and he will now sit out Friday night's game at the Aviva Stadium.

The LA Galaxy striker sat out training on Wednesday, but he had been hopeful of making the game.

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"I've had a problem with my Achilles for a while," the striker told the Irish Times.

"I got a kick on it yesterday [Tuesday] in training and it has swollen up. I've had a scan on it and I'll see how it goes tomorrow at training. It's a bit sore but I hope to play."

Stoke striker Jon Walters appears the favourite to lead the line in Keane's place, in what would be his 11th international appearance.

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