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Dumped Keane arrives home

Keane at London's Heathrow Airport after his World Cup exit

LONDON, England -- Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane has arrived in the UK after being kicked out of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup squad.

He landed at London's Heathrow airport early on Saturday as his former international teammates were flying to Japan from their pre-tournament training camp on the Pacific island of Saipan.

Keane had labelled the training facilities inadequate -- an allegation denied by the FAI – and fiercely argued with coach Mick McCarthy about the camp.

McCarthy said he finally expelled his captain afyter a clear-the-air meeting deteriorated into a "slanging match."

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Keane smiled at waiting photographers and camera crews when he got to Heathrow but stepped straight into a car without commenting.

Before boarding his flight from Tokyo he told the BBC: "I feel great and have a clear conscience. I have no regrets. There are more important things to worry about."

Celtic star Colin Healy has been drafted into the Ireland squad but it appears the FAI has not ruled out a reconciliation with their influential captain.

FAI chief executive Brendan Menton is heading to Japan and FAI secretary Des Casey told the UK's Press Association news agency: "I am quite sure he will vigorously explore the possibilities of a reconciliation. He will leave no stone unturned.

"The manager has total autonomy and his line has been supported by our executive. But the real tragedy is that we would not be in the World Cup without the input of Roy Keane and the players on the pitch, together with Mick McCarthy in his managerial role.

"I am sure everybody is clinging to the hope that there is a possibility -- albeit a very slim possibility -- that something might be done to achieve a compromise."

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern also offered to help try to defuse the row, which has left Ireland short of a world class player.

Ireland open in Group E against Cameroon in Nigata, Japan, on June 1. Germany and Saudi Arabia complete the group.