Kelly 'rested', Keane is next - January 10, 2001
Leeds boss David O'Leary says he dropped Irish international Gary Kelly because the player "needed a rest" - and he has hinted that Robbie Keane will be the next candidate for an enforced arse-warming session.
It means that against Manchester City this Saturday, for the first time in years Leeds could take the field without an Irish player - ironically, under an Irish manager!
Ian Harte has already been dropped, Stephen McPhail is injured and Alan Maybury - another full Irish international - cannot force his way into the team. O'Leary is also showing the door to two promising Irish youngsters, Damien Lynch and Alan Cawley.
When Blackburn manager Graeme 'Paddy' O'Sounessy had a similar Irish clear-out, we called him a racist!
O'Leary said: "I felt Gary needed a rest after a few average performances by his standards. I reckon he'll be back in the team soon - though he'll face a tough battle from Danny Mills."
"Robbie Keane's lack of first-team football in Italy has started to show and the knock he picked up last Saturday will prevent him from training until tomorrow (Wednesday) at the earliest. If he needs a rest, then that's what he'll get."