Keane - I want to play for country more than anything

Less than thirty-six hours after jetting in from Los Angeles, Robbie Keane will win his 124^th international cap against England in Wednesday’s friendly at Wembley and claims it will be one of the biggest matches of his career in a green jersey.

The 32-year-old will once again captain the Boys in Green despite only arriving in London on Tuesday morning, fresh off the back of his first hat-trick in the MLS, after a trans-Atlantic flight from America.

There were doubts over the LA Galaxy striker’s availability for Ireland’s first meeting with their near neighbours in eighteen years because of club commitments but Keane admitted he didn’t have to think twice about making the journey.

"For me, it's fairly simple: I want to play for country more than anything, and it still means as much to me now as when I made my debut at 18 years of age," Keane said. "That's certainly never changed.

"I can never understand why players don't want to play for their country, I find that very hard to take in.

"But that's only my personal view on that, people have their own reasons why they won't turn up or say they are injured or say they are not injured or whatever. I don't understand it, to be honest with you."

Manager Giovanni Trapattoni has warned his players to take it as any normal game and not get overawed by the occasion.

The Italian is all too aware of the rivalry and history between the two nations but believes both have moved on since rioting English supporters forced the abandonment of the last meeting in February 1995. While, the 73-year-old knows he won’t have to motivate his players before kick-off.

"When there's a little bit of tension with players, I don't want to give them more pressure. In my great experience, the players just need to think about the game.” He explained.

"I have to give them confidence and trust, it's important. If I give them more pressure on the pitch, the ball is 'hot'.

"I have to give them surety and trust that they can play. I am happy because we have got the quality, creativity and technique, and we have to show our personality.

"We can't think 'It's England and we are playing against famous players'.

"I played against Pele, against Eusebio, against Cruyff and I didn't think about these big players, they were just players I was playing against."

There was a welcome sight as the players were put through their paces on the lush Wembley surface in the late evening drizzle as Richard Dunne took a full part in the training session. However, the defender will play no part in tomorrow night’s game although Trapattoni indicated he could feature in on Sunday when Ireland play Georgia at the Aviva Stadium.

The Republic of Ireland side shows four changes from the team which  were held to a 2-2 draw by Austria March. Sean St Ledger, who came on as a substitute in that game, replaces Ciaran Clark in the centre of defence, while Stephen Kelly returns in place of the injured Marc Wilson at left back.

Meanwhile, the fit-again Aiden McGeady replaces James McClean on the left wing while skipper Keane takes over from Conor Sammon as Shane Long's strike partner.

There were further indications that Crystal Palace’s play-off winning hero Damien Delaney may get a call-up in the very near future after the defender had a light run out with the rest of the squad on Tuesday afternoon.

It is a game which has been eagerly anticipated, particularly in Ireland, as the Boys in Green aim to extend their fine recent record against the Three Lions but skipper Keane admitted the upcoming qualifier against Faroe Islands is at the fore front of the players’ minds.

"Our focus is all about the Faroes. We have to preserve our energy for that game." He said.

Meanwhile, England manager Roy Hodgson confirmed that Ashley Cole will lead the home side out on the night he’ll receive his 100^th cap but later revealed Frank Lampard will in fact captain the hosts in Steven Gerrard’s absence.

Striker Danny Welbeck is a major doubt with Daniel Sturridge expected to replace the Manchester United flyer in the starting line-up.

The game kicks off at 8pm.

Republic of Ireland XI v England: David Forde, Seamus Coleman, John O’Shea, Sean St Ledger, Stephen Kelly, Jon Walters, James McCarthy, Glenn Whelan, Aiden McGeady, Shane Long, Robbie Keane