Wednesday 8 November 2017 07:51, UK
Roy Keane says a return to club management is "on the backburner" as he prepares for the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup play-off against Denmark.
Keane's former club Sunderland are on the lookout for a new manager following Simon Grayson's sacking, as are Everton, but he is happy in his role as Ireland assistant boss.
"At this moment in time I'm really enjoying what I'm doing with Ireland, working with Martin, the staff and the FAI," he said.
"The only thing on my mind for the next few days is helping to get the team to the World Cup.
Hopefully we'll have players in the team that will know what to do with him.
"In terms of club management, all that's on the backburner at the moment.
"Total mindset and all my energy levels are going to Ireland for the next week or so. That's all I'm focused on."
Ireland qualified for the World Cup play-offs courtesy of victories over Moldova and Wales in their final two fixtures, and Keane says history shows they are a big-game team.
"We know they can turn up," he said. "We've had disappointments, Serbia and against Scotland in the last campaign, but when there's been big question marks put to the players, they've come up with the answers.
"They'll need to do that again on Saturday because we'll be under the cosh, under pressure, and will be challenged in different ways.
"Denmark have a lot of skilful players and good options going forward. Christian Eriksen is a really big player for them. They're big and strong, have good experience in their team and good energy. It'll be tough."
Eriksen has scored four goals in his last four appearances for Denmark and Keane says Ireland must keep a close eye on the Tottenham playmaker.
"Hopefully we'll have players in the team that will know what to do with him," said Keane.
"You don't want to give him time and space but the really good players will get that anyway, they'll create it themselves.
"We've come up against some really good players before and found a way to stop them. That's one of the big challenges we face over the next week or so."
