LA Galaxy captain Robbie Keane has left Ireland camp due to a knee injury, according to Independent.ie via LAGalaxy.com.
Keane did not train with Ireland since joining them for last week’s friendly against Switzerland and Tuesday’s match against Slovakia, and has returned to Southern California to be examined by the Galaxy’s medical staff.
Ireland head coach Martin O’Neill told reporters ahead of Tuesday’s contest against Slovakia that Keane isn’t sure when the injury occurred, and that it’s possible that the veteran striker could have an operation to “have a little look around to see what it is.”
“He was concerned about it because he doesn’t remember exactly what happened,” said O’Neill. “It might have been a little bit of a knock and, of course, when that’s not going away immediately, then you start getting a bit of a concern.”
Keane last played on March 19 in LA’s 3-1 home win against the San Jose Earthquakes. He currently has two goals in three games for the Galaxy so far this season.
A three-time MLS Cup winner, four-time best XI selection and the league and MLS Cup MVP in 2014, Keane has been one of the most lethal forwards in MLS since joining the Galaxy midway through 2011. To date, he has 75 goals and 43 assists in 111 regular-season appearances, plus nine goals and six helpers in 17 playoff games.
The Galaxy, who were off last weekend, will return to action on Saturday, when they’ll take on the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place (10 pm ET; MLS LIVE in the US, TSN2 in Canada).
