Robbie Keane optimistic he will make Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 squad despite suffering calf injury

Ireland captain Robbie Keane watches training from the sidelines after suffering a calf injury

Robbie Keane is upbeat he can shake off a late injury tremor and sign off a glorious international career at the European Championship finals in France.

Keane (calf) and Harry Arter (thigh) joined James McCarthy (hamstring) on the Republic of Ireland injured list ahead of Tuesday night’s UEFA deadline for submitting squads.

All three will miss the friendly against Belarus at Turners Cross on Tuesday (7.45) after which O’Neill will finalise his 23-man selection for the finals.

Ireland boss Martin O’Neill will not risk Keane for their final friendly against Belarus on Tuesday

A chipper Keane told Sportsmail ‘I’m fine,’ as he left the ground after training. It’s understood the 35-year-old striker, who had an injection on Monday morning, is optimistic he will make a snap recovery.

Ireland manager Martin O’Neill confirmed that the country’s record-breaker sustained the injury at the end of training on Saturday.

‘Robbie’s calf was sore, it’s enough to put him in jeopardy for a while. He had an injection this morning and we’ll see how he is tomorrow.’

‘Obviously, he would have been coming with us, definitely. So we’ll see how he is again. As he said himself, he’s still pretty upbeat and positive.’

‘He’s a pretty quick healer, he’s captain of the team, we want him to be there,’ added O’Neill.

Keane’s injury was hushed up but it was clear something was seriously amiss when he gingerly alighted the team bus and then sat in the stands at Turners Cross.

Ireland’s record goalscorer is optimistic of his place at this summer’s European Championship

As Keane watched on, Arter limped out of the training game on Monday, holding his thigh muscle, and was whisked away for a scan.

‘It’s a thigh problem which he hadn’t got before. He’ll have a scan shortly, we’ ll see how he is,’ said O’Neill.

McCarthy kept away from the main group but managed to kick a ball and moved at a slicker speed than he managed last week.

‘James is feeling better, he did a bit on his own. He was still feeling it a bit. We’re checking him on a daily basis, although we don’t have that many days left,’ joked O’Neill.

Medical bulletins aside, O’Neill will look his players in the eye on Tuesday night before making his final decision and ask them to be candid.

‘You have to put some trust in players somewhere along the way and while everyone wants to play I don’t think anyone would fool themselves.’

O’Neill hasn’t told any of his players yet who are going, or not, and the late injury crisis will keep everyone on edge, right up to deadline.’

Everton midfielder James McCarthy will also miss the Belarus game with a thigh problem

John O’Shea and Seamus Coleman (left) applaud the fans after their 1-1 friendly draw with Holland