World Cup: Robbie Keane out of clash with Germany because of Achilles injury

Robbie Keane: Republic of Ireland striker ruled out with an Achilles injury

Robbie Keane has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying clash with Germany on Friday night with an Achilles injury.

The LA Galaxy forward is understood to have aggravated a long-standing injury in a training-ground challenge with Paul McShane earlier his week and has been unable to play a full part in training.

Keane had been expected to play as a lone striker against Germany with manager Giovanni Trapattoni likely to employ a three-man central midfield.

The Italian must now decide whether Shane Long, Jon Walters and Simon Cox should replace the former Tottenham man.

It is the first competitive game Keane has missed since the 2-1 Euro 2012 qualifier victory over Armenia in Dublin last October, but the Football Association of Ireland expect him to be fit for Tuesday's trip to the Faroe Islands.

He joins Sean St Ledger, Glenn Whelan, Kevin Doyle, James McClean and Richard Dunne on the sidelines.